DudleyC Blog

Reflections on The Radical Road - Being known as Radical

2012-01-09T07:57:00.000-08:00

Based on the sermon series The Radical Road: Abandoning Yourself to Follow Jesus taught by Mike Romberger, Senior Pastor, Mission Hills Church

Sermon Title: Get Ready to Meet a Radical – Luke 1:1-25

Mike began this series by defining the words “radical” and “abandon.”
According to dictionary.com, Radical means extreme, especially as regards change from accepted or traditional forms, or one who follows strong convictions or extreme principles. Abandon means to yield oneself without restraint or moderation.

With these definitions in mind, we could state that Jesus was a radical who abandoned himself to the will of God. And even though these two words don’t appear in scripture as descriptors of Jesus, they certainly apply.

The critical question is, Do these words apply to me? Or, What would it take for these words to apply to me?

Honestly, what are the words that others use to describe me, as best as I can tell? I don’t mean, what are the words I want people to use to describe me, but what do they really say? I’ll hazard to guess a few: Helpful, competent, confrontational, honest, and willing to take risks. But Radical? Abandoned? Probably not.

To be labeled radical today I’d have to go out and try to do something extremely different from what is normal, maybe selling my truck and adopting a walk-only mode of transportation so that I can give more money to those who need bus passes (not practical). To be called abandoned today, I should jump into something without restraint, like exercising till I drop from exhaustion (not likely). But I think that would be altogether missing the point.

Radical and Abandoned are not words we set out to establish as self-describing adjectives. They are the bi-product of life lived a certain way. They describe a pattern of living rooted in deep convictions. Jesus pursued the will of the Father without restraint, and as a result he lived an extraordinary life that was way beyond normal, conventional living. He was radical, not because he set out to be radical, but because he never let up in his pursuit to know and do what was right in the eyes of God.

And that should be my focus today. Not to live in such a way that merits a label, but simply to watch and respond to the opportunities that arise today to know and to do what is right in the eyes of God. And if I string together days, weeks and months of this kind of living, maybe these words will apply.

“Lord, I want to live a radical life abandoned for your purposes. But today, Lord, I just want to be aware of that singular moment that naturally arises which will force me to choose between the normal behavior of this world and what you would prefer for me. I believe, Lord, from your perspective that choice won’t be seen as radical, but simply the right thing to do.”

Airlines and Snowballs

2011-12-13T13:01:00.000-08:00

I flew to Colorado Springs today. Yes, I live in Denver. Yes, it is a 15-minute flight wheels up to down. But, if your work requires you to travel at all, you know the value of achieving frequent flier status with your airline of choice. A kind lady from Denver-based Frontier Airlines called me last month just to let me know that I was going to be one leg short of reaching their top-tier flier status for 2012. Not one round trip short; just one leg, which she wasn’t pulling. So I came to Colorado Springs to have lunch and to knock out some of the email debris that piles up in my inbox. No meetings; just lunch at the airport before flying right back home.

Last night I lay awake thinking about the numerous trips this year that afforded me elite flying status on two airlines: Frontier and American. Madrid, London, Budapest, San Antonio (many times over), Spokane, Los Angeles, Portland, and Dallas, to name a few. I’ve long held a belief that achieving frequent flier status with an airline, in truth, may look like success on the road, but feels like failure at home. It means I’ve been away from my family a lot this year. A sacrifice that I have to question each time I consider another trip. Days away from the normal rhythms of family life - missed events, soccer games, church together. Sacrifice.

Then my Colorado Springs airport lunch took an interesting turn. Military veterans began arriving at the gate across from where I sat. Some in uniforms, most sporting veterans patches on their leather coats or hats. All carrying American flags. Since this city is home to the Air Force Academy, I assumed that this was a “welcome home” party for returning soldiers. I had to take a closer look.

Next thing I know I was holding one of those flags and my new friend, Jack “St. Thunder” Casey, was standing beside me. Along with many others, we formed a tunnel of flags from the exit of the jet-bridge into the terminal. Ladies held gift bags ready to hand out to those who were about to come up the ramp. Then word began to spread that the Snowball Express had arrived.

The Snowball Express? That didn’t sound like a troop transport plane. So I turned to Jack and asked, “Are these soldiers coming home?” He replied, “No, the soldiers died. This chartered American Airlines flight is bringing their families home. We sent them to Dallas for a weekend of recovery. They’ve been to Six Flags, Cowboy Stadium, and lots of other fun things.” As it turns out, every year, Patriot Guard units around the country round up these families and offer them a blessing in light of their sacrifice.

Sacrifice. That word surfaced again. On my trips, I’m gone several days, with the occasional two-weeker overseas. For these families, their soldier left knowing they would be gone for over a year. At the end of my trips, I come home to a family that welcomes me back. Their soldier didn’t return to their hugs.

I crawl into bed. They attended a funeral.

Yes, I travel a lot. Too much. But as I watched those kids and moms coming off the flight to a chorus of flag-holders saying, “Welcome home!” I’m reminded that some families won’t get to offer the homecoming greetings they waited to give. The gifts they received today can’t begin to compare to the loss they’ve experienced. Now that's sacrifice.

And the chance to give them a hero’s welcome today was worth that one extra leg on Frontier.

Now it’s time to go home.

For more information about the Snowball Express, click here.

For more information about the Colorado Patriot Guard, click here.

For other Patriot Guard units, click here.

Christmas Greetings from our family to you

2011-11-23T09:42:00.001-08:00

Courageous and Fatherhood of God

2011-10-03T07:21:00.000-07:00

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Romans 8:1-16

I went with 7 other men last night to see the movie, Courageous. It is an excellent representation of the real-life struggles men face, acknowledging that life is hard and that we choose how we will face these challenges.

Several themes ran through the film, one being the enduring love that a father has for his children. Coupled with the sermon from our church this morning, based on the Romans verse above, I believe God was revealing something important in the hours of this day.

I have learned far less about God's fatherly love from the experience of being a son. Rather, I am learning about His love through the exercise of being a father to two children.

And I have come to this conclusion: If God's love toward me is anything like the love I feel toward my children, then I have greatly misunderstood his Fatherly heart. Like most boys who grow toward manhood, I've sought to earn and be deserving of His love - to live in a way that justifies His acceptance. To gain the respect of God the Father.

But I also know this: I love my children with unrelenting passion, unchangeable devotion and a sacrificial willingness strong enough to overcome most of the selfishness in my heart. To enjoy relating to them as their Daddy (Abba) is my delight.

If I, in my human frailty, can love my girls like this, then how vast is the love of God the Father for us? How strong is His love for me?

Today, if you know the love in your heart for a child, think on the magnitude of the Father's love toward you. His love is not a different kind of love. It is more and more of the same.

Allowing for Allowances

2011-06-05T19:15:00.000-07:00

A Progressive Allowance Plan for Raising Children Who
Give Generously, Save Frugally, and Spend Wisely

"Dad, can I have an allowance?"
"Sure, son, I'll allow you to go get a paper route."

Times have changed. But the basic dilemma over whether to offer kids a monthly cash allowance has not. Let me start this discussion by saying that Laura and I have a stated goal of helping our kids grow into responsible, faithful maturity in all areas of life. We want them to head off to college with practical experience managing money so they can be financially wise and responsible, not held hostage by long-term financial damage or consumer debt.

Our hope is that, by the time they leave our home, our daughters will have learned basic money skills in three areas: Generous giving, frugal saving, and wise spending. How do we accomplish this?

Money Pits – The Problem with Allowances

Most parents view chores as an integral part of being in a family - everyone pitches in toward the healthy maintenance and overall well-being of the home. While this is a foundational approach, we should be careful with any system that ties allowances to specific chores. Doing so can shape kids who, when asked to wash the car, reply, "Well, for how much?" Monetizing basic responsibilities around the house is a sure-fire way to churn out kids who expect to get paid to be helpful.

Likewise, the historical data around unconditional allowances is no more encouraging. Regarding homes in which children receive an allowance without any expectations of responsibility, the data reveals that these kids…

Were no more likely to save money than those who received no allowance
Viewed the idea of working for money less favorably
Scored worse on a national financial literacy test
Show a lower participation in the labor force and an increased sense of entitlement.

So, if tying allowances to specific chores is as problematic as offering unconditional allowances, what else can a parent do?

Consider what we call a progressive allowance plan. The underlying principle is that a child’s allowance grows with the years in proportion to his or her ability to handle more responsibility.

Rather than tying allowances to chores, we frame it in the larger perspective of being part of our family system. To be in our family means that you share in the responsibilities of our home. Everyone pitches in. And everyone, in a basic sense, goes to work each day. Dad goes to the office, Mom handles home and local responsibilities, and the kids go off to school. And, as a result of everyone sharing the load, so too everyone gets to share in the blessings that God provides for our family. Everyone eats, sleeps with a roof overhead, wears comfortable clothes, and everyone gets a bit of the financial bounty that comes into our home from the Lord.

In order to keep the ideas of responsibility and blessing tethered, we withhold our daughters’ allowances if we felt that they were not contributing appropriately to the family. By doing so, we avoid the situation whereby our kids shirk their responsibilities at school and home, but they get the same allowance regardless. We also resist an allowance plan that would lead us to say, “You washed the car but you didn’t clean your room, therefore you only get 80% of your allowance.”

The Progressing Allowance Plan in Action

How does a progressive allowance plan work? With each year, starting in 1st grade, our kids had some basic responsibilities around the house in addition to their schoolwork. Making beds and feeding the dog are simple tasks within the scope of a 6-year-old. In return, our kids got an allowance of $10 per month that year.

While that may seem like a lot to give a 6-year-old, we required them to give at least one dollar at church, and to put at least one dollar in a savings account. (Remember that teaching generous giving and frugal saving are two of our stated parenting goals.) We found it interesting that they consistently donated more than one dollar - and we didn't complain a bit! We want our kids to grow up with generosity in their hearts. For special offerings - like a donation drive at church for missions - we encouraged giving by matching whatever they chose to give, thus doubling their donation. On one occasion, both girls wanted to give to a China Missions offering. We laid out the fund-matching scheme, thinking they would give about five dollars each, and we would pitch in an extra $10 to match. We heard them upstairs counting money, giggling and talking about it with each other. How surprised do you think we were when they came down and announced that they wanted to give FIFTY dollars to China missions?! Well, we weren't nearly as surprised as the Children's Minister at the church when Molly & Claire showed up with $100 in cash! I pray to God that they will always be so generous.

Regarding the money that they save, we opened a savings account at our bank for each child and seeded it with a minimum balance. Each month they decide how much they want to deposit into long-term savings. Often this turns out to be two or three dollars, which is 100 - 200% more than we require of them. Some parents go further to encourage savings by offering a “fund matching” incentive for every dollar socked away. As their math skills have grown, we have been able to teach our kids about the cumulative benefits of saving. Of course, "compounding interest" is lost on them, especially with current bank interest rates! But they are experiencing the monthly discipline of saving which will benefit them for a lifetime.

Now, back to the $10 per month in 1st grade. If they give away $2 and save $2, then they really only have $6 to go out and spend. We have tried to give them full permission to spend those dollars anyway they desire. Why? Because they began the month by giving and saving. The rest is theirs to spend, earned, in a sense, by their responsible contribution to our family system. Of course this led to frequent trips to the Dollar Store where they bought countless “treasures” that broke in the car on the ride home. Did they learn anything from that? Probably not at the time, though we have heard them say, “What a piece of junk! I shouldn’t have wasted my money on that!” By giving them permission to spend the rest of their allowance as they desire, both girls have shown an increasing amount of discretion. This has opened the door for many conversations about wise spending.

The Mechanics of the Progressive Plan

Here is the "progressive" part of this allowance plan. When they started 2nd grade, we gave them each a $5 raise. Now, before you freak out over a 50% increase, remember that our goal is for them to learn financial responsibility AND to take on more financial responsibility over time. We’ve added chores to their list, and we’ve expected them to pay for more of the things that they want. Even in 2nd grade, if they really wanted a book from Barnes & Nobles, we would ask, "Do you have any of your allowance left to spend?" By giving them more spending potential, we gave them more responsibility for the cost of items they wanted. I don't think either girl ever questioned that we would take care of providing what they need, but they quickly learned that they would be asked to spend their allowance on items that they wanted.

Play this out over the course of a child's educational career - a $5 increase per grade - and what’s the commitment? By the time our daughters are high school seniors, they will each get a $65 monthly allowance. While this may seem like a lot, our girls will also shoulder much more of a load at home. Eventually they will be responsible for helping take care of the car, tend to their laundry, and participate in meal preparation for the family, among other things yet to be determined.

Regarding financial responsibility, their increased allowance will force them to make critical choices about discretionary spending. We will provide some basic money for reasonable clothes. If they want to upgrade to designer labels it will be on their dime. We will provide them with a basic line on our family cell phone plan, and they will pay for the texting or data plan on the phone. This notion of increased responsibility also means that they have to solve any problem that carries a financial burden. For example, our teens will have a modest car to drive, but if they wreck the car and the insurance premium goes up, they will pay the difference. If they get a speeding ticket (following in dear old Dad's lead-foot-steps) they will have to pay for it (even though dear old Dad did not :-).

The net result? Every month our kids will have to make spending choices, "Do I want to pay for that movie now, or would I rather save up for that new snowboard I want?" "Would I rather commit to a monthly texting plan for my phone, or have more flexibility in my clothes budget?" That is exactly the kind of choices we want them to learn how to navigate.

The First Bank of Mom & Dad

Structuring a progressive allowance system like this also opens the door to introduce our kids to basic concepts of banking. Eventually, I expect that each child will open a checking account and learn how to use a debit card. When that happens, we will teach them about online banking and checkbook balancing. We have started to offer higher-interest savings incentives and lower-interest loans.

Here’s how it works. If you child wants a new iPod, try giving them an incentive to save toward buying it. If it costs $100 and your child gets $25 a month of allowance, factoring in for giving and long-term savings with $20 of extra to spend, it will take your child 5 months to save enough. You can help them learn the value of delayed gratification by offering them a one-month interest incentive for saving toward that purchase. In other words, write out an agreement that if they choose to save toward the new iPod for four straight months, you will give them the extra $20 to make the purchase. We actually did this with Molly, our daughter who chronically blew all of her extra money at the Dollar Store. You can't imagine the celebration in our home when Molly got to buy her first expensive electronic toy. It is all hers, and she felt so proud over exercising spending discipline for so long!

On the other side of the banking equation, you can also encourage financial responsibility by offering low-interest loans. Let's say your son wants that “totally awesome” new bike. It costs $144, and he gets $30 per month allowance. Again, factoring for basic giving and long-term savings with $24 extra to spend, it would take him 6 months to save that much. Or you could structure a simple loan that allows him to save for two months ($48) as a down payment, and then pay out the rest over the next 4 months while he enjoys his new ride. Feel free to tack on any "bank interest" fee for him to pay during month 5 before closing out the loan! The best part about this situation is that if your son "defaults" on the loan, you can sell his bike on Craigslist and recoup your cash pretty easily.

What does a loan like this do? It opens the door for your child to learn basic banking concepts like down payments, loan payments, collateral, and that all-so important word - REPOSSESSION! By the way, be sure to put all of this in writing and have your child sign it so that when the Grim RE-PO man shows up and swipes their gear, you can lovingly remind them of the arrangement. Their future bank will certainly not be so kind.

Allowing for a Final Thought

In conclusion, let me simply say that we didn't come up with some magic formula that led us to start with a $10 per month allowance with a $5 per year increase. You can start out at a different amount and offer different adjustments. In the end, the basic premise stands; choose an allowance system that teaches your kids that with increased benefits comes extra responsibilities. And that, with each passing year, they can learn how to give generously from their own wallets, they can save frugally toward a future goal or dream, and they can spend wisely.

That's the kind of child we want to see going off to college.

Building your Bible Study

2011-05-30T09:56:00.001-07:00

You are preparing to teach a Bible Study. If you are like many people, the anxiety that comes with public speaking can be downright debilitating. Far too many lose their essential message - and their audience - in the maze of poor presentation. But you don't need to take a preaching class to build a dynamic, memorable Bible study. Let's walk through some important "design" assumptions, and then a practical blueprint that will set your study on a solid foundation.

Assumption 1 - Attention Span
Consider the age of your audience from the outset. You approach Bible study with adult men differently than with a youth group. How long should your Bible study last? According to a variety of research, attention span can be linked to chronological age. So, if you're speaking to a Middle School audience, you can plan to teach for around 15 minutes. Go beyond that and you will begin to see the donut-glazed looks staring back at you. If your study has to be longer than your audience's age, then use the "Look" section to recapture some interest. More on that later...

Assumption 2 - Retention Span
Consider the learning style of your audience. Lectures still hold value for college educated adults, but fall on the media-addicted, youthful deaf ears. Be prepared to incorporate visual elements, audience participation, or video clips into your study. Learning experts agree that you increase retention by incorporating various stimuli. On this note, also remember the Primacy / Recency Effect (or Serial Position Curve), which states that people most often remember the first and last things that they hear. In other words, if you want your main point to "stick," state it clearly at the beginning and end of your study.

This is a good place to encourage you to keep your primary point simple and sharp. It is better for a crowd to hear one main point - thoroughly explored, illustrated and applied - than to hear 3 points that they completely forget. From the outset, ask yourself this question, "What main scriptural point do I want these folks to remember tomorrow?" Build the rest of the study around this thought or statement.

Assumption 3 - Divine Presence
A seminary preaching professor gave 4 anonymous sermons to his students to review and to rank in order of preaching mechanics and potential audience impact. One sermon landed at the bottom of every students' list, while the other three were debatable among the class. After a lively discussion, the professor revealed that the three sermons most preferred were delivered by ministers who were known to be morally corrupt, or cult-like leaders. The sermon which was unanimously ranked lowest was deliver by Dr. Billy Graham in a stadium address which saw thousands of listeners come to faith in Christ. The professor emphasized that divine unction, or the presence of God's Spirit in the life of the teacher trumps sermon mechanics or delivery style every time. Better that you would prayerfully walk with Jesus and have a technically poor presentation than for you to "wow" a crowd with your words without the Spirit flowing through your life.

Now, given these three baseline assumptions, how should you go about putting your Bible study message together? Let's use Lawrence Richard's helpful HBLT tool as the framework for our study. And we'll use the theme of "forgiveness" as an example of a Bible study message as we walk through each step.

1. Hook -
A good "hook" captures the attention of your audience, activates their prior learning, and heightens their anticipation for hearing what you have to say. Your hook should easily allow you step into your message by leading into your seminal statement. Tell a story or show a video clip and follow it with the very point you want them to remember. For example, if you're teaching on forgiveness, show a clip like this, and then make the statement, "Forgiveness is powerful. When withheld, it destroys; when given, it heals." Or use a discussion question that gets the audience involved in your subject. On the theme of forgiveness, ask, "Which is better, forgiveness or revenge? Why?"

2. Book -
After you state your main point, move straight into the scripture verse or passage that you want to study. It's okay to keep your scripture confined to a single verse as long as your point is in line with the larger context of the passage. Don't cite a verse just to make your point. The verse should make the point for you. For instance, Ephesians 4:32 is a simple verse on forgiveness. This is the time in your study when you define any important words that could be misunderstood, or you explain a bit about the context in which the verse was written. This Ephesians verse begs the question, "How can you describe the kind of forgiveness God offers to us in Christ?"

Opening scripture with your audience also ensures that if they forget every word you say, at least they have access to God's Word for a lifetime.

3. Look -
Now you will want to build a bridge between a scriptural truth and your audience's context. How does your theme translate into their experience? How has this message been misinterpreted by their culture? When, where and how do they relate to this concept? If you're teaching about forgiveness, you can offer an example to illustrate how forgiveness has healed and restored a relationship.

Remember the assumption about audience attention span. If your teaching time has reached the age of your audience, use an open discussion question, a video clip, a live testimonial from the crowd, or some other device to shake them out of listener-fatigue. This will buy you a bit more attention as you move toward the end of your study.

4. Took -
If you are teaching scripture with the goal of life-transformation, then you must include this component of application. The "took" is the take-away, or chance for your audience to consider what difference this truth will make in their lives. I will often end a Bible study by putting two questions to the audience (and often on the screen in front of them): What is God saying to you right now?, and What should you do about it? Allow your listeners time to listen to God before they transition to whatever is next.

Some people find closing their message to be the hardest part of teaching. Can you remember hearing someone teach who didn't know how to end? They go on and on and on, and you want to help them stop, but you can't! Know how you will end your message, and when you get to that moment, make your concluding statement with clarity and conviction. Remembering the Primacy/Recency Effect, it will help your audience to hear your seminal point one last time. And then say, "Let's pray."

Or if you are teaching on John 19:30, you could say, "It is finished." :-)

On leadership

2011-01-17T11:15:00.000-08:00

The US President who solves our current debt crisis will be remembered fondly only by generations yet to come.

- D Callison, American Citizen

Eating Disorders: Two suggestions

2010-12-13T08:13:00.000-08:00

“Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, ‘Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.’” Mark 7:14-15

This is a difficult topic, but a reality in our world today that requires some biblical interpretation. Some estimate that 1 or 2% of teens will struggle with an eating disorder. So what constitutes an eating disorder?

This is more than your average “picky” eater, or food preferences that go beyond your limits of tolerance. An eating disorder is an extreme eating pattern that begins to negatively impact other bodily functions or normal living.

The two most common are anorexia and bulimia. People with anorexia have an extreme fear of weight gain and a distorted view of their body size or shape. As a result, they can’t maintain a normal body weight. A person with bulimia will binge eat (excessive food intake) and then seek to compensate in extreme ways, such as forced vomiting, use of laxatives, or rigorous exercise in order to prevent weight gain. Both of these disorders cause a person to feel out of control, and represent unhealthy eating habits. Without treatment, both of these disorders can lead toward death.

What do you need to watch for, or understand as a parent?

1. The problem starts within – Just as Jesus pointed out that what goes into a person’s body doesn’t defile him, so too eating disorders are ultimately not about food, but the emotional disposition of the person who struggles with food. Yes, there is a very physical dimension to eating disorders, but as a parent, you’re primary concern should be to watch for your kids to develop a healthy perspective on their bodies. When you hear things like, “I’ll never be thin enough” or “Why can’t I look like other kids” keep your eyes open for signs that your son or daughter is trying to achieve a body image that doesn’t fit. Most of all, help your child differentiate between God-given body type and the body-image promoted by the world. One leads to health; the other, despair.

2. Do not live in denial – If you perceive that your child is experimenting with extreme diets, either with intake of calories or ways of burning them off, get involved. Way too many kids end up hospitalized before their parents were willing to acknowledge an eating problem. So, be observant. Is your child eating large quantities of junk food in private? Does she leave the table immediately after each meal in order to purge? Can you see your child becoming thinner while she or he continues to talk about being fat? If so, take steps to address these observations with your child openly, and get a doctor’s opinion if your child doesn’t seem to agree.

Track back to the original posting at T Bar M Camps - Family Matters Devotionals by clicking here. You can also find a list of other devotional topics which may be helpful on your parenting journey.

The Pressure to Succeed

2010-11-08T08:16:00.000-08:00

So He went back to Nazareth with them, and lived obediently with them. His mother held these things dearly, deep within herself. And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people. Luke 2:52 (The Message)

After Joseph and Mary found the 12 year old Jesus in the temple, Luke records what has become a key verse for us in the Family Matters Devotional series. In fact, this is the only impression we get of Jesus at an age when He could have gone to summer camp.

Theologians have wondered for centuries about Jesus’ awareness of his destiny. At what age did He understand that He was going to become the sin offering for all humankind? Did He know this when He was 12? If so, can you imagine the pressure He felt to succeed? The salvation of the entire human race rested on His shoulders and His willingness to say, “no” to sin every time. Now that is pressure to succeed!

Our children are growing up in a “success” oriented culture today. Pressure to perform in school, athletics and in social circles leads many kids toward frustration and even despair – the feeling that they just can’t measure up no matter how hard they try.

Let’s focus on two words that Eugene Peterson puts into the text in our key verse.

1. Growing up in both body and spirit– Jesus didn’t start His earthly ministry until He was 30 years old. Our kids feel the pressure to perform like seasoned adults by the time they hit Junior High! Even though Jesus would be declared a legal adult male soon after the temple story, He still had plenty of growing up to do.

This past weekend Claire played a difficult soccer game. Her team, the Awesome Blossoms, had to play the dreaded Bumblebees again – the most fearsome, competitive, and successful team in her league. The Bumblebees play so well that it makes other girls wonder why they are playing at all. Why not just quit? For Claire, it was key to redefine success, not as winning, but as growth. Did they pass the ball better than before? Did they play more aggressive defense to defend their goal? At the end of the game, the Blossoms realized they had grown as a team. And that is Awesome.

2. Blessed by both God and people – Where does the strength come from for a child to keep growing toward maturity? Many believe it comes from a child’s understanding that he or she is blessed. This doesn’t mean blessed with stuff (toys, PlayStation games, etc.). In scripture, blessed means loved, accepted, approved and valuable. Every time you affirm these things to your child, he or she is empowered with confidence to keep growing and trying. Success, then, becomes the quality of a person who is not afraid to press on into whatever destiny God has in mind.

Track back to the original post from T Bar M Camps here.

Gender Equality in Parenting

2010-10-26T13:21:00.000-07:00

The kids on the street assembled for a pick-up game. “Captains” were chosen and the team selection began. Of course the most athletic and coordinated from the crowd went first. Then came an interesting statement, “Don’t pick her. She’s just a girl.”

How very interesting. Why not say, “She’s not good at this game.” Or, “She’s not very coordinated?” While the opportunities for skill development for girls have increased, boys can easily equate gender with competence.

Having two daughters, I appreciate the effort made at T Bar M Camps for all kids to grow in coordination, self-confidence, and courage. What can we do, as parents, to help our children grow up with respect toward the opposite gender? Take a moment to read Galatians 3:26-29.

Emphasize gender equality regarding salvation –Paul seeks to clarify that we all stand before the cross on equal footing, and in equal need of a savior. Both genders are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. When you pray as a family, ask your kids to name both girls and boys who you can pray for together. This is a simple way of teaching your children that all of their peers are on a spiritual journey toward Jesus.

Allow equal opportunity – Our culture continues to assume that girls and boys will play with different toys, and there is nothing wrong with that. Boys and girls are – by God’s design – different from each other. However, boys should have equal opportunity to develop skills including creativity, art, language, or music, as they express interest in doing so. Likewise, girls should be encouraged to develop physical coordination and leadership skills, as they have interest in doing so.

Encourage respect – “Don’t pick her. She’s just a girl.” The simple message here is that a particular child shouldn’t be on a team, not because of ability but because her gender makes her less valuable. As Christ’s followers, this allows us an excellent parenting opportunity to go beyond encouraging our kids to be inclusive. We can help our kids understand that healthy competitors think less about the score, and more about how the game fosters sportsmanship and fun.

Did you see the recent video clip of the high school football team that allowed a boy to score a touchdown in his wheelchair? This was a beautiful example of sportsmanship, and the opposing team gave this boy what he could never earn otherwise – a newfound self-respect, something that both girls and boys should have the chance to enjoy.

Keeping it all in Balance

2010-10-04T13:56:00.000-07:00

Have you felt the tension of your family schedule pulling you in too many directions? Many families today run at a pace that makes life spin and blur. Add to this the normal rigor of school academics, and you find parents and kids who fall into bed exhausted only to wake up early the next day to start again.

Did God intend for us to live at this pace, or is this a product of a culture in which we desire to make all things possible?

Deut 30:16 states, “For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.”

I have been meditating on what it means to “walk in His ways.” Here are a few ideas to consider as you manage the schedule of normal life:

1. Walking is different from running – I find it significant that the imagery is around a pace which allows you to stop, to pause, to rest, to engage, to observe, to chat. Take a minute to consider the pace of your family’s life. Do you all have time to chat over dinner, or even to share a meal during the week? Try slowing down enough to create margins for God to reveal an agenda that might not be on your calendar.

2. Walking like Him means living like Him - The notion of “walking” in scripture is tied to the idea of living. To walk in His ways is to live like Christ. As you seek to balance the various commitments in your home, consider the opportunities you have to express His love, to share a word of encouragement, and to serve others along the way. If your pace doesn’t allow for these moments of practical, every day ministry, it might be time to slow down a bit.

3. Walking affords time to reflect – When we find a good rhythm in life, our kids know that they have time to review and reflect. What did I learn from that Saturday morning soccer game? Can I take time to review that math concept before rushing off to ballet? Seek to find a balance at home that allows you to process the events of the day, to reflect on what can be learned from the experiences, and to pause long enough for insights to surface.

Navigating the turbulence of Cliques

2010-10-04T13:53:00.000-07:00

“Didn’t Jesus start cliques?” You can imagine my surprise at this question, which came from a mom who had the unfortunate fate of sitting next to me on a flight. She went on to explain. “Jesus spoke to the masses, but he also chose 12 to be his friends, and then three of them to be part of his inner circle. Doesn’t that sound like a clique to you?”

Out of context, maybe so. But let’s take a look at the true nature of a clique, and what you can do as a parent to manage the social tension around this issue.

The word “clique” comes from an old French word meaning “to latch”. Exclusivity, locking others out, is central to the formation of a clique – some are allowed in, and others can only observe from the outside.

Jesus had many followers, a crowd he called disciples. When the time was right, Jesus chose 12 of them to groom and prepare for leadership. Jesus was well aware that within a short amount of time, he would no longer be physically present on Earth, and the responsibility for this Divine movement would fall on the shoulders of very ordinary humans. The leadership role they would bear would lead each one of them to a martyr’s death. Imagine advertising your clique based on certainty of death!

The key to understanding healthy friendship, close-knit community, and leadership formation as distinctly different from cliques, gangs and closed-door clubs revolves around this concept of inclusion. Jesus, maybe above all other qualities, was openly loving and accepting. Even the Pharisee who approached Jesus with an honest question found him open to friendship. Take a moment to read Jesus’ statement to his followers in John 13:34-35.

Now let’s apply this idea in real-time.

1. Encourage your child as he or she makes new friends. Just as Jesus met new people along the road, affirm your kids as they tell you about new students they have met.

2. Applaud your child’s attempts to notice and to include those sitting on the outside. Most of us know what it is like to be “outside looking in.” Help your child notice the kids who are not engaging in whatever the activity might be, and then discuss the joy he or she witnessed when that child was invited to join in the fun.

3. Model openness in your adult friendships, and a posture of acceptance toward others. Yes, believe it or not, our children notice the way we relate socially to other adults. They hear our comments about neighbors or who should be invited to the dinner party. By practicing openness and acceptance you set an example worthy of imitation.

And, as I told the lady on the plane, Jesus came up with this idea.

The Price Tag of Self-Worth

2010-09-20T08:36:00.000-07:00

According to the most basic definition, “worth” is the importance or value of something in the world. Worth also applies to people. How your children determine self-worth may prove to be the filter through which they interpret all social interaction. Simply put, kids who “esteem” themselves interact with others very differently from kids who feel they have no value.

To engage your kids in a dialogue about self-worth, let me draw from a powerful word picture I learned from my friend, Louie Giglio, during our time of ministry together at Baylor.

Cut out a coupon from your local newspaper for a grocery item. Just a 50 cent coupon for a can of soup will work fine. Explain how a coupon works to your son or daughter. You buy the can of soup at the store, and they immediately give you a discounted price. But the grocery store doesn’t lose any money on the sale. They send the coupon to the soup factory, which then “buys” the coupon back from the grocery store for 50 cents. They “redeem” the coupon. To redeem is to buy back.

What is the value, or worth, of that coupon? The coupon is worth whatever the factory will pay to get it back. Worth is set by what someone is willing to pay to get something. In this case, the coupon is worth 50 cents.

Next read 1 Peter 1:18 together. Then ask, “So, according to this verse, how much are you worth to God?”

Finally, state the basic truth. “God paid Jesus for you. Therefore, you are worth Jesus to God. How much are you worth? What is your value on this earth? More than silver or gold. You are so valuable that God redeemed you. He bought you back, and it cost him Jesus to do it. You are worth so very much to God, and to us.”

This is more than just a lesson in good theology. It helps to establish a foundation of self-worth that you can build on daily with your children. Statements like, “You are special, you are loved, you are valuable, you are important to me” serve as building blocks of worth on which a healthy self-esteem can be constructed.

Then, when people in this world cruelly question the value of your child, he or she can stand firm, unshaken with a confidence that comes from knowing a love that establishes value. Imagine him or her being able to think, “I am important to my parents. I am valuable to God. It’s okay for someone to not like me. I am loved already.”

Mission accomplished.

Keeping Up Appearances

2010-09-13T07:53:00.000-07:00

The topic of “personal appearance” may seem more relevant for parents of girls, but I’m certain that those of you with boys deal with this issue in similar ways. Today I’m going to write to you based on my experience raising two daughters, and trust that the Lord will help those of you with boys find some common ground.

My wife, Laura, introduced me to an excellent parenting book called 5 Conversations you must have with your Daughter, by Vicki Courtney. Regarding this issue of clothing, Vicki writes, “As parents we must help our daughters realize that their clothing is like a label.” In other words, clothing is a statement about character. What kind of message should the clothing our kids wear send about their faith in Christ?

Fashionable doesn’t equal immodest – In 1 Timothy 2:9, Paul encourages women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety. As Laura says, “You can look cute. Just be cute and covered up!” But biblical parenting extends beyond the rules about skin exposure. It is our responsibility to discuss the “sexualization” that happens when someone dresses with the intent of attracting attention. Vicki cites a study done on boys reactions to the way girls dress. She writes, “The study found that when girls dress in such a way as to call attention to their bodies, 85% of guys said that they would have a temptation to picture her naked.” As for the girls, less than 4% of them dress in a way to get guys to fantasize about them.

Clothing implies character – Galatians 1:10 asks, “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? “ Both genders desire to dress in a way that fits in with their peer culture. However, even secular parenting articles encourage parents to have this discussion before heading out to Target. An article titled, Tips on Buying Preteen Clothing, states, “Discuss your family policies on clothing before you go shopping, and be prepared to stand your ground.” When looking at clothing, our kids will think about the reaction of their peers. We can help them consider the larger message about godly character.

Control comes with maturity – Maybe the hardest part of parenting is giving up control. However, it is our mandate to raise children who are wise, discerning, and responsible followers of Christ. This means that eventually we must trust that the voice of God’s Spirit in our son or daughter’s mind must become more clearly heard than just the voice of Mom or Dad. Picture a day in the future when your adult “child” will stand in front of his or her closet, trying to decide what to wear. That is the moment when biblical parenting comes to fruition. When you are not in charge, the Lord is able to guide them – all on His own. Allow this control to shift as your son or daughter moves toward graduation.

For the original post of this article, please visit T Bar M Camps site. You can also subscribe to these Family Matters devotionals from that page.

Craig on Wheels!

2010-09-09T18:56:00.001-07:00

Meet my friend Craig. After 17 years away from driving while serving a prison term, Craig reports it was just like riding a bike - only bigger. In fact, the only part of his driving test that didn't go well was the "new" rule that your hands on the wheel are supposed to be at "9 and 3" rather than at "10 and 2". Why? So that if the airbag blows, you won't be eating your forearms.

Craig is now set up with the Honda for the next couple of months. We're praying this will only serve to accelerate (pun intended) his ministry with ex-cons coming out of prison. I've been so inspired by his story and his commitment to help these men translate their faith to life outside of prison walls.

Will you pray for Craig? Not about driving the Honda - it's just a thing. But pray for Craig's critical role in this life-transformational ministry. Most of these men went to jail a prisoner, became free in Christ behind bars, and now they are trying to learn how to live as free in the world.

Road Test for Craig

2010-09-07T19:57:00.000-07:00

Craig Redd last drove a car in 1997. That's when he entered prison for robbery. Tomorrow, Wednesday, Craig takes his driving test to get a license again. What changed? By the power of God, Craig did. Here is a brief version of his story:

Once he has a new license in hand, I'm excited for Craig to drive around in my old Honda Accord. My neighbor, Lenny, and I fixed it up this past weekend. Yes, I got my hands dirty, but it was fun to learn how to replace axle assemblies and CV boots. And all for a good cause - a free man named Craig...

Parenting Through School Year Insecurities

2010-09-07T08:46:00.000-07:00

“The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deut 31:8

The start of a new school year brings all the excitement of a fresh start. The “boredom” of summer is over – in contrast to the boredom of school just a few months ago – and a new adventure has begun. New classes, new routines, and even new school supplies. Don’t you just love the smell of a new eraser?

However, not every kid finds the change to be exciting. Some tremble, literally, with fear over walking into a new classroom. I remember the red-faced embarrassment I felt one year when I couldn’t find my new locker, and when a friend came along to help me locate the elusive closet, I couldn’t remember the combination! What a mess.

If your child frets over the natural insecurities that arise from the start of a new school year, try helping in these practical ways:

1. Talk about the fears out loud – Our worst anxieties thrive “in the dark.” In fact, counseling theories abound with encouragements to bring our worries into the light of truth and reason. When your child talks about his or her fears, some of the power of that anxiety is released.

2. Speak encouragement – You know your child’s “love language” enough to know if encouragement sounds like affirming words, or a lingering hug. Speak encouragement into your child’s life in some dialect they understand. Let them know what fears you faced at their age, and how you found the courage to overcome those insecurities.

3. Help your child remember the Lord – When your son or daughter walks into the school building, you are not welcome. You cannot be by his or her side when that fear creeps in. However, the Lord is there. By His Spirit, He can bring peace, confidence, and courage into that painfully awkward moment. Before the kids leave home, take a moment to pray for them, and ask the Lord to be near to them during the coming day.

Life Beyond Prison

2010-09-03T13:35:00.000-07:00

A most interesting lunch today with Craig. He robbed 14 banks in 3 days before he was arrested, then spent the next decade in a Colorado state penitentiary. Craig's life was forever altered when he came to faith in Jesus Christ, and then spent the balance of his prison term being discipled by the faith community "behind the walls." He got out about a year ago and has launched an amazing ministry to help felons transition back into the free world.

My friend Jeff and I had lunch with Craig today to talk about Rod Workman, who was released on parol this past week. We met Rod behind bars, and were stunned by his mature faith and humility. Jeff and I will join a mentoring team to help Rod transition back into life outside of prison over the next few months.

Jeff, Craig and I will be standing at the Greyhound bus station this coming week when Rod steps off the bus in downtown Denver. Can't wait to hug his neck and welcome him to the next chapter in his faith journey.

CA Connect 2010 Highlight Video

2010-08-27T14:26:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a great collection of images from our recent Connect conference! Eric Schrotenboer did an amazing job filming and editing this piece. Thanks Eric!

Every Life Has a Story

2010-08-26T17:08:00.000-07:00

Do you think about the people you encounter in the normal course of your day? People who wear labels like "customer" or "cashier" or "foreigner". But underneath the surface designations we find people who are very real, with personal stories that often go unnoticed.

Watch this video and then think through your day. Have you encountered someone who, if you knew their story, you would've treated differently?

If we ever hope to live an incarnational life, we must begin to "listen" to the stories that arise from each person we encounter.

The Family Serve...

2010-08-23T08:26:00.000-07:00

“If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Josh 24:15

Serving is an interesting concept. From restaurant waiters to tennis players, “serving” takes on many meanings. The Internet reports (so it must be true, right?) that Gene Robinson “served” on a grand jury hearing drug related cases. That is, he served until his name was called as the next case. He said, “That’s me!”, and excused himself from the courtroom. The grand jury indicted him and he was arrested in his home shortly thereafter. It seems that our judicial system served him well!

Scripture describes the act of serving as a choice – a conscious decision to place someone else’s needs before your own – or as a way of expressing loyalty to another. What does it look like to “serve the Lord” as a family? Here are a few ideas:

1. Worship together – a consistent form of Biblical service is the simple act of worshipping God. Going to church together and participating in a faith community qualifies as an act of service. Worship declares that your family has chosen a Lord, a faith, and a set of values by which to live.

2. Help together – Our world promotes “self-service” at every turn. Serving others can fulfill some of the most basic scriptural instructions, like feeding the hungry, offering clothes or shelter to those in need, expressing compassion to the hurting, looking out for widows or orphans. Serving as a family counteracts our cultural tendency toward self-absorption.

3. Take “self” out of “serving” – When we serve, our motives can often gravitate toward whatever benefits we get from helping others. The notion of serving, however, involves self-sacrifice. Giving, helping, and blessing take on the image of Jesus when the “benefits to self” are removed from the equation. As a family, look for ways to serve that can remain anonymous. A bag of goodies left on a neighbor’s doorstep with a note of blessing can be a fun way to build community and a Christ-honoring sense of serving into our children.

Youth and Youth Groups

2010-07-20T10:47:00.000-07:00

“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” Prov. 13:20

The concept of “church” might take on various definitions for you. In our post-modern culture, some think of church as a place where they go on Sunday to participate in an experience of Christian worship. For others, “church” might happen with fellow believers on their back porch, sharing life over a meal and recounting stories of mission through the past week. I’ll not stand in a place of authority to determine if your definition of church qualifies as valid!

What I will attempt to do today is to provide you with some compelling reasons for your family, and your children in particular, to get involved in a local place of Christian fellowship.

1. Walking with Christ is a communal experience – Throughout scripture we read the story of God’s people, and “people” is a plural concept. Though we have highly individualized the notion of our personal journey with Jesus (and, in fact, our faith is intensely personal), God intended for this to be a group activity. All the way back to Abram (Gen 12) we see that God selects a people in order to bless them, so that they might be a blessing to the world in His name. Your son or daughter can join this great venture through involvement in a church – bringing the grace of Christ to others through his or her involvement with God’s family.

2. Relationships are messy – Maybe you don’t mind if your child bypasses church because, frankly, you don’t have fond memories of it yourself. True, church friendships can wound. And church is full of wounded people! But God’s story is one of reconciliation – bringing together what was torn apart. Just as the Lord removes our sin so that we might enjoy His company, so too church allows us to experience relational healing that the world doesn’t understand. The only way to avoid this hurt-and-heal rhythm is to avoid people altogether, and that’s true inside or outside of church.

3. Wisdom is found together – I remember the questionable choices some of my peers made in high school. I would silently wonder, “Was that really a good idea?” It was at church that I found friends who would affirm out loud, “No, it was a bad idea!” Church was also a place where friends could celebrate the times we did what was right in God’s eyes.

Facing Your Child's Insecurities

2010-07-13T12:20:00.000-07:00

In her effort to overcome self-doubt and insecurity, one teen turned to Yahoo Answers. (If you google search on “teenage insecurities” this is the top hit.) Here is a bit of what she said:

“I'm insecure. Of everything possible. I feel left out sometimes because I don't feel good enough for anyone. Seeing those popular girls--wow, they're just so confident. They seem so interesting. They get noticed by cute guys and I wish I had their beauty. The thing is, I know my faults and imperfections but I don't know how to fix them. I want to be myself. But there's always someone better than me. I don't know how to accept it. It's so hard.”

Doesn’t your heart break for this young gal? Far too many kids, boys and girls, face similar battles over not measuring up to their peers. They don’t “esteem” themselves, or consider themselves as valuable. Carrying a healthy self-esteem means a person carries a healthy sense of personal value. He or she has an inner peace – a place in this world and a contribution to offer to others. God’s Word says, “I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:9&10)

Here are a few important messages to send to your kids:

1. You are accepted, and not rejected. You belong in this family, and you are part of God’s family. You might gain and lose friends, you might feel like you don’t belong in some groups, but you always belong here with us. And you can know that nothing will separate you from God’s love as well.

2. Do not be afraid of social comparisons. Yes, there may always be someone in your group who is prettier, funnier, smarter, or more talented than you. But God is with you, and that means you have something to offer. You can be a blessing anytime, any place, and to anyone.

3. The Lord offers strength and help. You don’t need to get caught in the trap of not feeling as valuable as others around you. The Lord can help you to be a good friend – one who cares, shows compassion, listens well and offers support, and who has the strength to offer help when needed.

Yielded to His Service

2010-07-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

This quote was shared in our leadership team meeting today by Deb Hirsch. Read through it slowly and see if it doesn't bring some contentment to your heart. It did mine.

"Christ has many services to be done; some are easy, others are difficult; some bring honor, others bring reproach; some are suitable to our natural inclinations and temporal interests, others are contrary to both.

In some we may please Christ and please ourselves, in others we cannot please Christ except by denying ourselves. Yet the power to do all these things is assuredly given us in Christ, who strengthens us.

I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will. Rank me with whom you will; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for you or laid aside for you, exalted for you or brought low for you; let me be full, let me be empty; let me have all things, let me have nothing; I freely and heartily yield all things to your pleasure and disposal."

John Wesley - Taken from "Still Waters Deep Waters" - edited by Rowland Croucher

Family Vacations

2010-06-28T09:17:00.000-07:00

Since we recently returned from a three-week road trip, the topic of family vacations is fresh on my mind. What a change from my childhood days! Back then, my brother and sister and I “shared” the back seat of the family station wagon. Turf wars, brawling, and boredom led us to explore – seat belt free – any square inch where we could get comfortable for the long haul. Today, with DVD players in the car, game sets, iPods and the like, our kids enjoy a non-stop buffet of entertainment from door to door! But whether today or ancient history, these vacations form lasting memories full of stories that we still tell.

What are some of the Biblical principles that can help your vacation to be a positive, Christ-honoring experience for the whole family? If you have an extra moment, look at Philip’s journey from Jerusalem to Gaza in Acts 8:26-40.

1. The Journey is as important as the destination. Philip never made it to Gaza. God’s intention was for Philip to meet the Ethiopian on the road to Gaza. Remember that sometimes God accomplishes His purposes on the road to where we think we’re going. Playing “car games”, long hours of conversation between Mom and Dad in the front seat, even the spontaneous stops along the road all become part of the relationship building adventure.

2. Be open to the ministry encounters God has for your family. God had an agenda in Ethiopia, and He accomplished it through this encounter on a dusty Palestinian road. During your vacation, pay attention to the people you meet. They are on a spiritual road to meet Jesus as their Savior. As you intersect their lives, you may become a catalyst for them to move one step closer to Jesus.

3. Vacation is not a time away from Godly living. Up in the chariot with the Ethiopian, Philip read scripture and enjoyed spiritual conversation. Family vacations are an excellent time to bring up topics that don’t surface during the normal rhythms of life. How has the last year gone for each person in your family? What does each one hope for in the next year?

So, open your eyes. Not only to the Grand Canyon or Mt. Rushmore, but to the eternal "sites" that appear along the road to a memorable family vacation.

An Interesting Encounter...

2010-06-21T11:03:00.000-07:00

American atheist and illusionist, Penn Jillette, meets a good, honest, polite and sane follower of Christ. This is Penn's video testimonial of that encounter.

Activate your kids this Summer!

2010-06-14T14:18:00.000-07:00

“In six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day.” Ex 20:11

Not too long ago, the NFL launched a campaign called “Play 60” which encourages kids to engage in 60 minutes of active play as a way of combating childhood obesity. Not a bad idea, but unnecessary if your kids are booked into camp.

Both of my daughters just finished a session at T Bar M Sports Camp. Each afternoon they had about 60 minutes of down time (called FOB for all you camp families). The rest of the day was spent in full-on, heart pumping, body moving play. From the sports field to the Blob pool, these kids generated enough kinetic energy to power up Switzerland.

Now that summer has arrived, it is time to strike that elusive balance for kid’s activities. Yes, they might prefer to sit around for a week of “mental recovery”. But don’t let that become an excuse for just exercising their thumbs through video games or texting. You don’t have to be a former P.E. teacher to inspire them. Check out a variety of outdoor options in your area: Frisbee golf, biking trails, skate parks, swimming pools or water parks are all great ways to maintain healthy bodies this summer. Remember, moving their bodies is good.

Did I mention the word “balance”? Some kids suffer from over-activity. Running from one sport to the next, coupled with non-stop weekend tournaments and practice sessions also have a negative effect. Some child development experts believe we have created an alternative danger by allowing our kids to be involved in too many activities. This lack of rest can lead to bone weary fatigue, apathy, a lowered immune system, and higher risk of injuries.

So, parents, pray for wisdom regarding your summer with the kids. What is the right amount of activity? How will you keep your children active while not pushing them too far?

God made our bodies to thrive on activity and rest. Just take a look at my girls. Camp has been over for almost a week, and they are both still asleep

Meet Christine Osgood

2010-06-04T07:57:00.000-07:00

We welcome Christine Osgood to our team at Christian Associates International! Christine will be serving as our Training Team Leader, focusing on the missiological, personal, and practical growth of our staff. She and Chad bring exciting energy to CA, and both will contribute to the development of one of the premier training systems that facilitate spiritual movement. For a brief introduction, please view the video below. Christine put it together as a way of saying, "Hello!" to all of us.

Welcome to you both, Chad and Christine!

intro of me

Summer Investments

2010-06-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

Or to read on the Family Matters Devotional page, click here.

Take a moment to read Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

God’s people were given the law by Moses, but this wasn’t just a message to the adults. God intended for parents to pass along this way of living to the next generation.

I’m not sure about the culture in which you live. I can tell you that families in our world move at a very fast pace. Between youth sports, activities, and adult commitments some families rarely spend time together. The old fashioned “family dinner” has gone the way of the Yeti – heard about, but rarely seen!

These verses may actually help you as a parent. It seems to grasp that dedicated time for spiritual discussion may not happen very often. Instead, this passage encourages integration – bringing spiritual concepts into the everyday rhythm of life. Look at the times and places we are to discuss spiritual matters:

At home – whether sharing meals, games, or just moving on to the next thing.
Along the road – in the midst of commuting between activities.
In the evening – before going to bed.
In the morning – while enjoying breakfast together.
In your hands and on your mind – wherever you go, thinking about the way the Lord intends for you to live.
On your doorframes and gates – reminders placed throughout the house.

The Lord is interested in those special moments when we give Him our full attention and affection, certainly. Still, God knows full well that life is not lived in a monastery. He desires us to transfer the ideas of being part of His family in the very midst of enjoying life with our own families.

Think of some of the spiritual themes that could surface during the course of your average day: honesty, responsibility, forgiveness, gossip, jealousy, kindness, compassion, anger, disrespect, obedience, humility, and the list goes on.

This summer, invest in your family by integrating spiritual concepts into the conversations of your day. Talk about what happened at the ball field, what message a movie meant to convey, or how you can be a blessing to someone else. Don’t wait for “extra time” to show up.

I love the sign at the T Bar M Camp gate that reads, “Love God: Love Others.” Why not place a similar sign above your front door? It’s a good reminder for any season.

Relationships With Parents

2010-05-26T11:08:00.000-07:00

Take a moment to read Ephesians 6:1-4.
We may have no clearer picture of the interaction between parent and child in scripture than these few verses. Since this devotional is written to parents, I’ll consider even the first verse with Moms and Dads in mind.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”

Research clearly shows that our perception of God as a Heavenly Father can be directly linked to our experience with parents in childhood. Like it or not, you are shaping your child’s view of God. No pressure, huh?

Simply put, teaching your child to obey (literally “yield to”) your voice is critical to his or her future relationship with God. A child who learns to obey the voice of a parent becomes an adult who can obey the voice of God. The opposite stands true as well. A child who won’t yield to the parent whom they can see will likely not yield to a Heavenly Father whom they have never seen.

How, you ask? There are moments when a direct command is necessary. For instance, “Get off the hood of that moving car – NOW!” needs no explanation. However, most of the time we encourage obedience by taking time to explain the reason behind the rule. Children need to know that our directives can be traced back to a desire for safety and abundant life born out of our love. Communicate the love behind the rule and you’ll go far to inspire obedience in a child.

“Fathers (or parents), do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

To exasperate is to bring someone to a place of extreme agitation, or to provoke to an extreme degree. For children this feels like, “I just can’t get it right!” Training a child in the ways of Christ has more to do with affirming the right choices than criticizing every wrong decision. With plenty of room for correction, focus your attention on the many good things your son or daughter does during the day. Too often parents remain silent over good choices, speaking up only to correct behavior that they don’t like. Watch for the good and offer words of praise.

A child who knows that he or she behaves correctly most of the time gains confidence, security, and assurance. This “I can choose what is right” perspective arises in a home where the child knows he or she is loved and accepted through the good and bad choices of the day.

Incarnate

2010-05-26T09:47:00.000-07:00

Here is a brief video showing the faces of some of my friends from CA, and some of the people who they live among. May He be known by their presence...

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

On the Street Where You Live

2010-05-21T13:00:00.000-07:00

Henri Nouwen looked deeply into spirituality through the lens of his own life. Though he wrote these words years ago, he captured so much of how we're trying to live on our street. I hope you are encouraged by his thoughts to slow down, linger long, and love well.

More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.

"Do" the Word

2010-05-17T07:44:00.000-07:00

“Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22

Mountain Dew claims you can quench your thirst if you “Do the Dew.” But if you want to DO something that expresses your faith, as James explains, DO the Word.

I find it interesting that those who listen to God’s Word and then omit the step of application actually deceive themselves. Clearly the point of listening to the Word is to put it into daily practice. The Lord doesn’t intend for us to merely move from a place of ignorance into knowledge. He intends for us to move from ignorance, through knowledge, into transformed living.

How can we apply this in the domain of parenting?

To read more, click here!

Why We Study Scripture Together

2010-05-11T16:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a brief video from a couple within our Tribe who are seeking to facilitate the kind of conversations about scripture that practice communal discernment. Go Jeff & Tracy!

Context Promo from Disciples Church on Vimeo.

Parenting - The Ultimate Endurance Race

2010-05-10T09:20:00.000-07:00

Parenting is a marathon. Eighteen years from birth to high school graduation, and even longer if your kids stay on the “payroll”. Each “mile” of parenting brings a unique set of joys – and plenty of new challenges. Sometimes you might even wonder if the issues you face today will ever go away. Will your son or daughter grow out of this phase, or is this – God forbid – how he or she will be as an adult?

To read more, click here.

Parenting - When to Worry about Partying

2010-05-03T13:01:00.000-07:00

Jenna partied too much. Her experimentation with alcohol led into parties that involved behavior that she never dreamed she would get caught up in. When Jenna arrived at our residential youth counseling center, she was just as embarrassed as her parents over how the past year turned out. During lengthy counseling sessions with Jenna, we discovered “warning signs” all along the way – indicators that she was on a slippery slope. While her parents wanted Jenna to learn through trial and error, they came to see some points where intervention may have stopped the slide. Christian parents carry many different convictions about teenage partying, so let me simply offer you a few warning signs that may help you know when to be concerned.

To read more, click here...

Being Helpful...Even at Home

2010-04-26T06:36:00.000-07:00

Saturday chores. Working in the yard. Washing the car. Spring cleaning, or any other season for that matter. Every home requires a baseline of maintenance that can feel like work – even on a day off. Is there a way to accomplish these household items AND build a spiritual sense of purpose into the day?

Consider Paul’s comments about a few of his friends. In 2 Timothy 4, Paul encourages Timothy to come to him quickly, for Paul is in desperate need of help. Demas left to pursue worldly things. Luke is still with Paul, but Paul tells Timothy to “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.”

What a wonderful way to be mentioned in the Word of God! Helpfulness implies both an awareness of someone’s need and a willingness to get involved with them to meet that need. Saturday chores take on a different feel with an approach of helpfulness.

To read more, click here.

Staying Responsible Through Spring

2010-04-05T21:20:00.000-07:00

Staying Responsible Through Spring | Don't Waste Fun - T Bar M Camps
By Dudley Callison, LPC

“Homework – When will it end?!” Though the phrase, “God helps those who help themselves” is not found in scripture, this passage may be the source of that sentiment. Our God, who is Just, rewards the faithful effort we have offered, especially as it relates to our service of others. Does this apply to homework? (for more, click the link above)

Ways to Say "I Love You"

2010-03-29T22:19:00.000-07:00

Ways to Say "I Love You"

By Dudley Callison, LPC

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:10-11

Feeling love for someone is easier than expressing love. In his book, Ways to Say I Love You, Stephen Arterburn comments, “Loving people requires setting self aside momentarily and focusing our devotion, attention, and affection upon someone other than ourselves. Love is, above all things, unselfish.” He goes on to offer 51 practical ways to express love for our children in a language that they can understand. I’d like to offer a few of these to you today (click blue link above for more...)

Courage to Correct - Part 1 | Don't Waste Fun - T Bar M Camps

2010-03-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

Courage to Correct - Part 1 | Don't Waste Fun - T Bar M Camps
A parenting devotional for those of us still learning how to correct our children, and how to expect a healthy response from our children when they are corrected...
By Dudley Callison, LPC

Moral dropouts won't listen to their elders; welcoming correction is a mark of good sense. Proverbs 15:5 (The Message)

Let’s face it; nobody enjoys being corrected. Recently I was “reprimanded” in front of a group of ministry peers, and my reaction was worse than the correction. How embarrassing! Then came the whole apology thing. Looking back... (click the link above to continue reading)

Encouraging the Gift of Personal Prayer | Don't Waste Fun - T Bar M Camps

2010-03-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

Encouraging the Gift of Personal Prayer | Don't Waste Fun - T Bar M Camps
By Dudley Callison, Camp Pastor, LPC

Today we’ll consider a few valuable dimensions to our prayer life, and how to encourage personal prayer in our children...

Christmas news

2010-01-02T09:36:00.001-08:00

Hello Friends and Family ~

We had good intentions of sending out official Christmas cards with a picture and news and everything this year, but this is what you’re getting instead! Dudley put together a pretty e-card with a Christmas Day 2009 picture and I’m typing out a – hopefully – brief Colorado Callison update for the year.

Autumn plans were a bit compressed in light of the quick purchase of a new house 3 houses down from the one we had been renting! As we have lived here in Littleton, Colorado for the past 2 years, our hearts have begun to really settle here amongst our neighbors on this street, this particular location in the city, our wider community and the beautiful seasonal climate. And we decided this summer we were ready to make the decision to stay put. So when we heard that the most perfect house on our street was going into foreclosure things fell into place for us to purchase it and moved really quickly due to the finances/bank possession/etc. So we’ve been on the move – literally - this past month! I know, I know, things wouldn’t be on the right axis in the universe if the Callisons didn’t move every 2 years, and we can’t have that on our conscience now, can we?! So to keep things steady and in balance, we moved! It’s actually a really great story of God’s provision - not only for us, but for the (unbelieving) family that lived in it before. We had tremendous opportunity to share with her and help her transition her family to a new place. One day, when we’re sitting around visiting, we’ll tell you more about it!

In June, Dudley completed his first year with Christian Associates. He truly enjoys the people that make up the “CA tribe” (as it is affectionately called) as they live to advance the Kingdom around the world. You can expect that Dudley is energized by the challenges of administrating the organizational side of CA - especially in this difficult economy - keeping his diplomatic skills in tact and his mind sharp. The flexibility and diversity of this job are part of his enjoyment of the work, too. CA has an office suite at a nearby church, but since so much of his work is by computer conferencing and email he can work from just about anywhere…and he does! Coffee shops, the house, book stores, you name it, they probably know Dudley’s favorite table and drink! In addition to CA, Dudley has a support contract with T Bar M Camps in New Braunfels, TX where he spends time every other month or so serving as a pastoral consultant to their staff and interns.

For those of you involved in our support raising team, we’re coming close to our goal! Though we had a few people drop off due to economic pressures, we’re currently at 80% funded for this ministry position. Thank you all for your prayers and support! Dudley feels so blessed to be able to spend the days in a high-impact ministry role. If you would like to join our support team, just send a reply and we’ll send you the steps to take.

Molly and Claire are great…totally loving 4th and 1st grade, loosing teeth right and left, swimming, biking, reading, singing, soccer-ing, gymnastics-ing, all those things little girls love to do. They are still red-heads (yay!), learning to navigate their world as believers in public school, and loving all their friends up and down our street and in our community. It’s such a joy to parent them, play with them, and watch them grow! They certainly provide lots for us to think about (Claire as we’re walking out of Home Depot: “Mom, what’s a street walker?”) and activities to enjoy (“We want snowshoes for Christmas!”).

We are so thankful for each of you and the part of our life story you share! Wishing you many glimpses of His Glory in 2010,
Dudley and Laura, Molly and Claire

Signs of the End of the World

2009-09-03T16:35:00.000-07:00

The news today reports an incident in California where a man bit off another man's finger during an argument.

Ironically, the argument was over health care reform.

Fortunately, the man with the severed finger was covered by Medicaid.

I'm sure there is a spiritual lesson in this, but, by all accounts, this is a crazy world...

Going Hostel

2009-08-27T02:08:00.000-07:00

Avignon, France
Have you ever stayed in a European hostel? Let me describe it for you. Picture a coed, communal, university dormitory. Four people to a room. Bathrooms down the hall. Shower with a knob you push to get the water to come out in 10 second bursts. Hans & Frans pulsing techno-pop through the wall. If you've ever wanted to live in a nudist colony, a European hostel would be a step in that direction. (If you've ever wanted to interact with a global community, a European hostel is a step in that direction as well.)

God knows all about European hostels. He describes the sleeping conditions perfectly.

The bed is too short to stretch out on;
The blanket too narrow to wrap around you.
Isaiah 28:20

At the Bridge in Avignon

2009-08-26T10:54:00.001-07:00

Avignon, France
From 1305 to 1378, the Catholic Pope resided not at the Vatican, but in Avignon, France. During that time, the French kings held control over the papal selection and activity. But I'll come back to that in a bit...

The bridge in Avignon was started way back in 1177 and completed in only 8 years. Spanning over 3,000 feet, it was considered a marvel of its time. I had to marvel at the image of the bridge ruins, bathed in sunlight and touched by a rainbow this evening. I took the photo attached with my iPhone camera.

Back to the papal thing, it turns out that during this chapter of the church, the Roman Emperor and the Pope were at odds over who was the leader of Christendom in secular matters. It seems that the popes leading just prior to this time enjoyed unprecedented popularity as a result of the successful crusades. Some say that the emperors of the Middle Ages merely served as marshals who existed to do the Pope's bidding. As a result of all this "ruling" the popes were doing, the papal court had to establish all of the governmental practices and procedures of the secular court, leading to a centralized administration under Clement V who was elected at the beginning of the 1300's.

So, would you like to guess what happened? Disaster. The French kings appointed French popes who instituted laws and governed the empire, all under the banner of organized religion. Church leaders lived as princes rather than as clergy. Corruption ruled, which gave birth to a public that despised the faith that these leaders stood to represent. Eventually the church stood on the verge of collapse. In 1378 Pope Gregory XI, a French pope, made the decision to return the papacy to Rome in an effort to bring stability to the land. Unfortunately, the clergy in France disagreed and installed their own popes for the next 30 years. Not helpful.

What do we learn from this? The church is to be like Jesus. Jesus was the King of Kings, but the church is not. History has proven time and again that politics and religion, when mixed together produce a toxic soup. The corruption which comes from power does not stop when a man puts on the priestly robe. Rather, we (church leaders) forget that Jesus came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for all. The papal palace right across the Rhone from where I sit at this moment is gilded in gold and stands as an edifice of control. Jesus got on his knees and washed his friends' feet.

Now, don't get me wrong. The church does, at times, get it right. So do popes and pastors. And they get it right when they let Jesus have all power, authority, strength and honor. And they get it right when they take off garments of earthly control, bend down to the ground and serve others with the love of Jesus.

And when Christians live this way, then, like the Bridge in Avignon, it's enough to make one dance...

2009-08-24T11:42:00.000-07:00

Lisbon region, Portugal
For the past week I've been with 80 believers from the southern Europe region. All of them are involved in some form of church expression, from the static, building and program based church, to the ultra liquid form of believers' community. They came together under the scope of Christian Associates to connect. In fact, the event was called the Southern Europe Regional Connect. We met along the coast of Portugal, on a beach front called Sao Pedro De Muel. The photo is a sunrise shot from my first day there. Chock this one up to jetlag...

Our retreat center was a Baptist encampment. The dormitory style housing placed 4 of us men - large men - in a room with two bunk beds and 3 square feet of floor space. The snoring was indescribable. Mix older, slightly overweight men with a severe lack of sleep and you’ve got a 3am philharmonic. The sleep apnea drug world is going to make a killing on us someday. At one point I lay on my bunk laughing at the noises coming from the other 3. They were actually "talking" to each other, alternating their breaths in a way that created a rhythmic conversation in the night. The volume escalated as if they were disagreeing until one man gasped for breath so loud that it jostled the rest and created a space of calm for me to rush off to sleep. Thank the Lord for conflict resolution...

The retreat was a beautiful example of believers coming from multiple countries, speaking an array of languages, thriving in a diversity of church styles, with one Lord. A glimpse into heaven.

Thanks to all of you who have prayed and made this trip possible. You, too, will someday join the chorus of believers from every tribe, every language at the throne of heaven. And may you never join us for a night in the dormitory...

Dudley

The Bells in Grasse, France

2009-08-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

A Fragrant Faith

2009-08-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

Grasse, France
The Perfume Capital of the World, this city sits just above the Cote d'Azure, otherwise known as the French Riviera. Grasse (pronounced like we say "Grass") is warm enough to incubate all of the flowers necessary to make fine perfumes - which the city sells in excess of 600 million Euros per year - and wet enough to make it lush almost year round.

The cathedral dedicated to Notre Dame du Puy serves as the central attraction to the town and is home to several original large-scale paintings by Rubens. This expression of church was constructed in the 11th century. We happened to be standing just outside of the doors at noon when the carillon bells began to ring. I posted a video above of the bells. It's my iPhone attempt at capturing a video moment.

So, how do these two features of Grasse intersect? Perfume and cathedral. Fragrance and faith. For Vincent & Nicole Derieux, our CA workers here in Grasse, they combine to form a church called Parfums De Vie - The Fragrance of Life. A multi-lingual gathering, this church seeks to bring the nations together under the Lordship of Christ. In addition to their outreach to French neighbors, Vincent & Nicole live and serve very near to the large Tunisian immigrant population, offering kids club programs, social services, and language classes. Vincent, a local Frenchman from nearby Avignon, and Nicole, a Scot who is fluent in French, are both learning Arabic in order to better serve the local community. I'm very impressed by what I've seen so far as we've walked their streets today.

It makes me wonder, what do our churches smell like? Not physically, but in terms of the effect of our presence in this world. Do we emit an acrid odor of judgment and condemnation? Maybe we reek with the sweat of self-justification. It takes a lot of effort to earn the love of God! Heaven forbid we would smell with the decay of spiritual death.

Paul encourages us to be like perfume, offering the aroma of Christ to our communities. He writes in 2 Corinthians 2, "But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.

May you draw people today toward Jesus, just by the sweetness of your presence.

Callison Family Newsletter

2009-06-12T16:06:00.000-07:00

Even though we are well into June, our May Family Newsletter is ready to go! Please feel free to click here to download our latest ministry news and information. And if you run into problems with the download, just let me know and I'll make the adjustments.

Brand New Endings

2009-06-09T15:37:00.000-07:00

Every once in awhile I'll pack up my mobile office and make the 30 minute drive up to the mountain community of Evergreen, CO. This has become a convenient refuge from city life, while providing the same cell phone and internet options that I have anywhere else. Any trip to Denver should include an excursion to this lovely spot.

My office for the day ended up at the Java Groove - a free WiFi spot with self-dispensing coffee refills and, as the name implies, a nice jazz audio background. Instead of live, open-mic poetry readings, this place features poetic quotes in chalk by the cash register. Today's quote is worth repeating...

"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start,
Anyone can start now and make a brand new ending."

Ever feel dogged by the failures of your past? Wish you could start something over, take back a comment, erase a decision? Have you ever wanted to meet someone again for the first time, to start again without the hurts that now sabotage current attempts at relationship?

While many would like to erase small or large parts of the past, in fact it is those very failures that become our guides into the future. Without the first half of life failures, we wouldn't carry wisdom into the second half. It is through wounding a loved one that we learn what not to say, how not to act, and what offends rather than blesses. Countless are the number of second marriages that gain the benefit of the hard-knock lessons learned in the first one. And rare is it when we find a friend or spouse who will stick around through those brutal lessons learned only the hard way.

This may be the truest test of lasting love... that one would not only forgive that which is past - understanding that starting over is not an option - but would also participate in shaping a new end to the story.

Who would that be in your life today? Someone who has lost the right to your affection, who has failed miserably? Someone who wishes they could take back that hurtful moment and start over?

Someone who can't make a brand new start, but who wants to start in the direction of a brand new ending...

Only by God's grace toward us, and our grace toward others can this happen. Or as Paul states, "Forgive one another, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Toward a brand new ending.

Mother's Day Surprise

2009-05-11T09:03:00.000-07:00

On May 12, 1907, Anna Jarvis held a memorial service for her mother, who passed away two years earlier. The purpose of the service was to remember her mom, to tell stories about her life, and to express ongoing gratitude for her mom's efforts through the years. Shortly thereafter, Anna launched a campaign and in 1914 "Mother's Day" was officially declared to be a national holiday celebrated on the second Sunday of May each year. Anna's hope was for each American to spend special time with their mom's on that day, or remembering them in some special way.

For a long time I approached this annual event with hesitancy. In fact, Laura and I didn't enjoy Mother's Day for many years. Being childless and not knowing if we would ever have children, Mother's Day became a grim reminder of our loss and struggle. It felt like a forced celebration which required us to rejoice for those who had children with no mention of those who didn't or couldn't have children. So it was helpful to consider the origins of this holiday, and to discover Anna's original intention.

From the start, Anna placed primary emphasis on expressing gratitude for her own mother - which was an act that every person could engage regardless of age, marital or parental status. She scoffed at those who would merely purchase a greeting card and utterly disliked the practice of buying a gift. This day was created to enjoy one's mom, to speak words of kindness and thanksgiving, and to share a day of being together. Talking briefly with my mom on the phone last night, it seems that she got to enjoy that kind of day with most of our family.

In the church we have the opportunity to go one step further as we also thank the spiritual "moms" who have helped to nurture our faith. The day reminds us to praise God for women who planted seeds of belief in our hearts, and who tended the garden of our souls.

You see, Mother's Day was never about being a mom - not at all. Anna knew that not everyone would know the pleasure. It was about whoever you consider to BE mother in your life. How do I know this? Because Anna Jarvis, the Founder of our American celebration, on the day she died in 1948 was single. She never married. Never had any children of her own. She was just thankful for her mom...

New Monthly Email Newsletter!

2009-05-01T13:24:00.001-07:00

Hello to all of our cyber-friends out there! Starting in the month of May, we will be publishing and sending out a monthly family newsletter by email. In addition to this blog, the newsletter will feature items about our ministry involvements, special features, photos and other very exciting data (for all of those who get excited about data).

If you already participate as part of our financial support team, you will automatically get our newsletters as a PDF document by email. This gives you the freedom to open and read it at your leisure.

If you are part of our prayer network around the world, and would like to receive the newsletters, please send a quick email to Laura (the publishing editor :-) at dlmc@pobox.com

I will continue to blog thoughts, ideas and news here as well.

Thank you all for joining this journey with us. We look forward to many more days of Kingdom building together with you.
Dudley

Be Like Who?

2009-04-03T11:33:00.000-07:00

Do you remember the Be Like Mike ad campaign? It was an early 1990’s genius move by Gatorade to capitalize on the enormous popularity of a young NBA star, Michael Jordan. Originally the ad exec based the commercial themes on the song from Disney’s “The Jungle Book” song entitled, “I Wanna Be Like You” otherwise known as the Monkey Song. But Disney wanted too much money to “be like them” so Gatorade wrote their own little jingle. It states,

“Sometimes I dream that he is me. You’ve got to see that’s how I dream to be. I dream, I move. I dream I groove. Like Mike. Again I try. Just need to fly. For just one day if I could be that way. I dream. I move. I dream I groove. Like Mike. If I could be like Mike.”

How many people went out and bought Gatorade with the hope that it would help them move and fly like Mike? Millions. Millions of people who realized, sadly, that a beverage couldn’t land them on the same court as Mike. Bummer.

Scripture also offers a “Be Like” statement that is a whopper. Ephesians 5 begins with the directive, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

We might be more successful at being like Mike than our attempts to be like God.

But that command doesn’t stand alone, calling us to get above the rim when we can hardly dribble the ball. It comes after another important directive – one that actually enables us to act in a way that reflects God-like attributes. Ephesians 4 ends with the statement, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” In other words, to be kind, to express compassion, and to forgive others, as God has forgiven us, IS to imitate him. To be like God.

What does this forgiveness look like? Thomas Watson offers seven indicators that we have forgiven, just as in Christ, God has forgiven us. They are:

1. Resist the temptation to seek revenge
2. Do not return evil for evil
3. Instead, wish someone well
4. Grieve over their calamities, even the hardships they have brought upon themselves
5. Pray for their welfare – for good to come to them from God’s hands
6. As much as it is in your power, seek reconciliation; the restoration of a broken relationship
7. Come to their aid – for nothing shows the kindness and compassion of God more than our willingness to help the very one we should consider an enemy

While I'd like to think that Michael Jordan has mastered these biblical principles, in the end, and as much as it is possible, I'd rather be like God.

For just one day, if I could be that way...

Waves of Insight

2009-03-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

I did a little poll of our CA staff at dinner the other evening. It seems that Portugal is the surfing capital of Europe, and the storm that blew in off the Atlantic had whipped the waves up to a crest of about 20 feet. In my landlocked way of thinking, that means surf's up, dude. So I was curious to find out about the "Hawaii Five-O" courage of our dinner group.

Twenty eight staff answered these two questions: 1) Do you surf? 2) Regardless of your answer to the first question, would you surf in these conditions?

The results? Out of all of the people who answered that they would surf in these conditions, none of them actually surf. Of all the staff who actually surf, none of them said that they would surf in these conditions! In fact, one of our surfing staffers asked, "Is 'Hell no' an option?"

Now, this could imply a few things about our staff culture. It could indicate that we've got blindly courageous staff - the kind of people who would charge the gates of hell with water pistols; no fear, and a compelling passion to experience all this life has to offer.

Or it could imply that we've got seasoned, clear-minded staffers who know enough to discern a good idea from a bad one. By understanding the force of the current, the volatility of the breakers, and the danger of the jagged rocks laying just out of sight, these gamblers have the humility to know when to walk away, and when to run.

I find it interesting that our dinner was not attended by a bunch of newcomers, but by our core leadership community. What can you learn about an organization that has this breadth of diversity sitting at the leadership table?

First, it tells me that we've got mature believers who are not afraid of hardship. In fact, they expect to be tossed around by the waves of this world. These are hearty men and women who moved their families to international cities with little more than a suitcase of faith in their big God. Blind fools? Or warriors who live with confidence that He who called them is faithful?

It also tells me that our leadership core includes men and women who can discern the Spirit's promptings. Amidst the roar of crashing breakers, they can hear His quiet voice, and they obey. These people no longer live to impress others, and they will not let pride, arrogance or cheap thrills goad them into a surf where they don't belong.

And both belong in the circle. The courageous spirit of Peter, seated next to the insightful sensitivity of John. God's design behind human diversity, and God's intention that we share in this journey together.

I'm amazed at what gets washed in by the waves...

2009-03-06T10:33:00.000-08:00

Leadership Summit is off to a good start. Over 100 of our top leaders have arrived in Ericeira Portugal to enjoy four days of interactive learning. Michael Frost, our keynote speaker, gave a compelling word last night regarding the Relational Capacity of Mission; his premise being that our missional effectiveness is directly proportional to our relational capacity. Our focal passage for the evening came from Acts 8, the story of Philip's encounter on the road to Gaza. Mike made the following points:

1. Philip obeyed God, and obedience to God always leads us into relationship with others. In Philips case, God didn't ask him to leave Samaria just for the sake of a trip to Gaza. God asked Philip to leave in order to bring him into relationship with someone on the road to Gaza. Frost stated, "Follow God, and you'll end up spending the day with an Ethiopian."

2. Philip engaged in relational proximity. God brings us into relationship with others. We commit to the kind of closeness that places our lives next to theirs. For Philip this literally meant getting into the chariot with the Ethiopian. We must consider the value of "sitting next to" those we encounter, day after day, dealing with their humanity and offering grace to their depravity. Like a chemical reaction, bringing God's grace near to man's depravity leads to a spiritual explosion of life, forgiveness, restoration, and joy. Proximity leads to this kind of combustion.

3. Philip moved into relationship with a high degree of expectation. He was confident that, upon hearing the word of God, the Ethiopian would respond with faith. If we believe in the world to come - a world full of God's love, justice, and peace - then we should offer anticipatory foretastes of this world to those we encounter. In other words, let OUR love, justice, grace and peace introduce others to what they can expect fully in the presence of God. Like a movie trailer, our lives should compel people to desire the rest of the show.

All of these responses demonstrated that Philip had a high capacity for relationship. The Lord led him into relationship with the Ethiopian, and Philip embraced the opportunity with gusto. May we be as quick to embrace those we encounter today. Increase our capacity, O Lord, we pray.

Wednesday Update

2009-03-04T15:15:00.000-08:00

Skype. I'm not sure this was even a word until a few years ago. Well, maybe it meant something in Iceland. Now, Skype is a word that means, "stay in touch by audio and video for free from anywhere in the world." Nice word, it is. Laura enjoyed a few Skype moments with the kids from the airport lounge before we headed overseas. Molly is a registered Skype instructor (at least she instructs Claire). Then we left on a jet plane. By the time we hit London, we were both pooped out. Laura caught a bit of shut-eye in a lounge chair. I prefer to sleep in a prone position, which didn't happen until we got to a home in Lisbon.

Today we reached the fishing village where the leadership Summit will happen. That nasty storm front that hit our eastern seaboard last week has now arrived in Europe. Really. Same system now in Portugal. The waves outside of our window were reaching 10 feet today, and will top out tomorrow morning at 20 feet. Surf's up, dude.

Laura met lots of CA people today. They welcomed her into the CA tribe like a long lost sister. It was fun to see them literally embrace her as family. This brought a deeper sense of belonging to my heart, to see these two worlds finally coming together. I'll write more about that, and other things, tomorrow.

Portugal

2009-03-03T13:38:00.000-08:00

We made it. No sleep on the planes, but a nice nap in the London airport, which beats trying to rush into the city and missing our next flight (a previous adventure...). We were picked up by a friend here who took us home to soup, salad and cornbread; the perfect meal after you've flown for 24 hours with little more than a peanut/pretzel mini bag, and some form of airplane meal that wouldn't pass FDA inspection. We're bushed, so that's all for tonight. I'll write more after sleep restores my synapses. Thanks for praying.

Video Below

2009-02-14T17:48:00.000-08:00

Hello to all Hip Hop fans. The video below is pretty low resolution, but you can see Molly and Claire, usually in the middle of the frame, and they both are wearing the white shorts. They sure had fun learning dance with these high school gals, and performing during halftime of the varsity girls basketball game. Thanks to Heritage High for hosting this fun event for our kids!

Belles Program

2009-02-14T17:24:00.000-08:00

Running on Red Line

2009-02-11T02:55:00.000-08:00

When was the last time you realized that life was moving too fast? I'm not talking about the kind of day when you rush out the door - coffee in one hand and cell phone in the other - to your next thing. I'm speaking of a season in your life that has become a blur, when the agenda items of a day should be the work load of a week; when the time to sit and ask the "how are you doing, really?" question is squeezed out, or at least reduced to a social convention such that you hope that the answer is simply, "fine, thank you." At these moments, and yes, I'm in one of those right now, the speed of life feels like jamming the accelerator to the floor, into the passing gear that pegs the red line on the tachometer.

This is not a commentary on the quality of those things that fill our day. In my case, the list of items to attend to are good things, mostly Kingdom things. The issue is not discerning between good and bad items. They are all good. Maybe you feel the same. But here's a 4:00am get-out-of-bed-because-your-mind-is-spinning-with-too-many-things-to-sleep thought. Regardless of the positive nature of our "busyness," life was not meant to be lived at the red line.

Quite the opposite, life, at least the way that it seems God intended, ought to move at a different pace. There will always be things to do. But more importantly, there are people to love and moments to capture - the kind of moments that pass like a blurred road-side billboard if you're moving too fast to notice.

A few years ago, a ministry colleague of mine died. His name is Kyle Lake. You may have heard about the incident of his death in that it happened during church one Sunday morning. Kyle was performing a baptism, and due to faulty wiring in the building, Kyle was electrocuted and died. Life came to a screeching halt, and not just for Kyle. Many of us stood in slack-jawed silence at this event. I'm pretty sure the world stopped revolving for a moment just in honor of this shining saint. Though he didn't even live to deliver the sermon he prepared for that morning, his inspired words endure. And on this morning, when I'm overwhelmed by the mountain of things to do, Kyle's words sound as fresh as ever. Here is what he wrote for the sermon on that day:

Live. And live well. Breathe. Breathe in and breathe deeply. Be present. Do not be past. Do not be future. Be now.

One a crystal clear, breezy 70 degree day, roll down the windows and feel the wind against your skin. Feel the warmth of the sun. If you run, then allow those first few breaths of a cool autumn day to freeze your lungs and do not just be alarmed, be alive.

Get knee-deep in a novel and lose track of time. If you bike, pedal hard... and if you crash then crash well. Feel the satisfaction of a job well done - a paper well written, a project thoroughly completed, a play well performed.

If you must wipe the snot from your 3-year old's nose, don't be disgusted if the Kleenex didn't catch it all... because soon he will be wiping his own.

If you've recently experienced loss, then grieve, and grieve well.

At the table with friends and family, laugh. If you're eating and laughing at the same time, then might as well laugh until you puke. And if you eat, then smell. The aromas are not impediments to your day. Steak on the grill, coffee beans freshly ground, cookies in the oven. And taste. Taste every ounce of flavor. Taste every ounce of friendship. Taste every ounce of life. Because it most definitely is a gift.

Important words. Words that slow me down and cause me to pull over to the side of the road, turn off the engine for a bit, and take a walk instead. The mountain of important things are no less important, but they are not the summation of life.

So, if you're one of those precious people waiting for me to get to your item today, please be patient. I'm going for a walk.

Maybe you could use one too?

Worlds Colliding

2008-12-30T11:29:00.000-08:00

Here is the scene...

A young Turkish man fans the flames of an outdoor barbecue grill with a piece of cardboard while scores of men sit around talking; Turkish children playing several games of soccer on the same field at the same time, all shouting playground phrases to each other in their heart language; the women, covered in full-length dress coats and wearing brightly colored head scarfs, gathered around in conversation groups watching the children and enjoying a picnic on a sunny December afternoon. They giggled when I offered a brief greeting in Turkish - followed by loads of whispers about a foreigner speaking their language. Together with my two new Turk friends, Mehmet and Hasan, I drank Tamak soda (Turkish brand), and we ate plates and plates full of chicken and beef kabobs, loaded up with sliced veggies and salads. The conversation turned to all the normal topics, including global economies, and Turkish/American politics. Of course they celebrated Obama's victory along with most of the world. We discussed our faith systems - what it was like to be Christian in Turkey, and what it is like to be Muslim in America. We shared stories of our favorite places in Istanbul, Ankara, and San Antonio. (insert pregnant pause here...)

Yes, San Antonio. That's where Mehmet and Hasan live. And we met at T Bar M Camp. (insert longer, full-term pregnant pause here).

Each year the Raindrop Turkish Association hosts a gathering of Turkic people from all over the United States, right here on the property of T Bar M.

I arrived at camp today to participate in the Camp Winter Staff Reunion, and stood there with a mouth-open, shock-and-awe look on my face at the sight of 200+ Turks running around this spiritual haven we call Camp. A global-scale collision of my worlds.

When our conversation turned to their experience here at T Bar M, they both used a word that conveys more in Turkish than in English. They described camp as a most hospitable place. Do you know what this means? For these precious people, they see Camp as a place where they feel comfortable, where their needs have been considered. They use this word to describe a place where they feel blessed, relaxed, and at home. This stands in contrast to the many places in America where these men have felt discounted and marginalized because of their "different" culture. For them, camp has created an environment that promotes peace, fun, and relationships. Just like in the summer, when the focus in overtly Christ-centered, these new Turkish friends perceived a spiritual dimension to this place just by being here.

We went to extremes to try to get the Message to our Turkish friends while living there. T Bar M has brought the Message to Turks living right in their back yard. Every time a Turk walks down the path into camp they pass under a sign that says, "Love God. Love each other." The gospel in two statements.

As customary, we exchanged phone numbers and email addresses, along with the promise to reconnect on a future trip to San Antonio. And then I realize that this is not a collision of worlds. The passion is exactly the same, regardless of the location - a longing for these friends to know God's love, and to share it with the world.

Not a collision, indeed, but a bridge between worlds. For truly the two have more in common than I ever imagined.

Going to Prison

2008-11-25T08:21:00.000-08:00

Yes. Last Saturday I went to prison, Colorado Territorial Prison to be exact. Fortunately, I went with 5 great friends (might as well serve time with buddies, right?), and they let me out at the end of the day. I told our group that while we were going through security, if the guard made a call to the Baylor Police department and mentioned the phrase "unpaid parking tickets", I was going on the run!

This prison visit was set up by Good News Jail and Prison Ministry. Territorial is Colorado's oldest prison (dating back to 1871), housing around 1,000 inmates. These men committed crimes ranging from drug trafficking, to rape and assault, to murder. I was surprised to find that Territorial also hosts one of the most effective Prison Churches in the country.

Stop. Maybe you just had that moment where your cynical past regurgitated the thought that prisoners accept Christ so that they can accelerate their chances of parole. You may be right, for some. But what I witnessed that day went far beyond the outward show of man's selfish agenda. Read on.

When the worship service began, Chuck, an inmate of 20 years, led the 75 men in the room into one of the most powerful, energetic, Christ-exalting times of worship that I've ever enjoyed. Chuck learned amazing piano skills, along with proficiency in 8 other instruments, while incarcerated. He added a vocal quality that can only be described as a spiritual gift from the Lord. None of us wanted the worship time to end. It carried the desperate edge of believers who cry out to God from a place of brokenness, depravity, and a daily awareness of their need for God's grace. Those of you reading this blog from other parts of the world may better identify with that version of worship. I saw it in Kazakhstan, China, and Azerbaijan. I've seen it in the eyes of international workers, who have walked away from their American Dream to pursue the global agenda of God. These men joined the chorus of believers around the world who cling to God and to each other. It was not a show; it is Life.

Then, once Chuck told us we HAD to stop, Hop stood up to preach the Word. Hop has been in prison for 16 years or more. During this time he has studied Greek and Hebrew, and become proficient enough to teach the other inmates who are hungry to grow in the knowledge of God. He brought a sermon that challenged my theological assumptions, and his teaching carried the kind of holy unction that E.M. Bounds encouraged in his classic book, Power Through Prayer.

Antonio also sat in the room. He is the resident evangelist/intercessor. Antonio spends several hours each day in his cell offering up prayers for other inmates, especially for those who have reached that blessed place of brokenness, that moment where sinful depravity overwhelms a man, and opens his heart to a full-on collision with the forgiveness of God. By the way, Antonio also leads a group of intercessors who lift up prayer requests of believers outside the prison walls. They had been praying diligently for a lady who needed her house to sell. They were glad to pray for her. I was embarrassed for her. Asking men who spend everyday in prison to pray that her house will sell? "Give me a break." I thought. Then I was embarrassed for my own attitude.

Did I mention that Chuck is Black, Hop is White, and Antonio is Hispanic? Did I mention that, for two of them, their crimes were centered on racial hatred? But there you have it - the church, it all it's unrefined, spiritually mature, Christ-embracing glory. These men don't have most of what we call "church" in our current Western expression. They just have an overwhelming need for God, a love that overcomes hatred, a freedom that stands in stark contrast to their imprisonment, a humility that is born out of deep gratitude, and a passion to know Him and to help each other through the most brutal time of life. And they have Jesus; lots of Him.

Church - prison style. Upon leaving the facility, Peter, one of the guys in our group, asked the poignant question, "Who is really free, and who is actually in prison? Them, or us?" Great question, Pete. While I'm motivated to inspire our local church to greater liberty, I can't wait to go back to prison to participate in their freedom. Their church. We have much to learn from these dear brothers. And their expression of church, by the way, is exploding around the world; not always behind bars, but always filled with lots of Jesus.

P.S. This prison church, while led by inmates, has two chaplain overseers. Dan and Ken are both support-raised chaplains placed in Territorial by Good News Jail and Prison Ministry. To learn more about their work, and how you can connect with a prison ministry outreach in your area, go to their website by clicking here.

Raising Divine Support

2008-10-23T07:55:00.000-07:00

I sent this article out to our Christian Associates staff last week. May you be encouraged as well.

Take a deep breath, and as you exhale try to identify the primary emotion in your heart; that predominant feeling that dwells – and indwells – everything else you touch today. It could be a sense of peace, calm, confidence, or courage. However, in light of the economic tensions afoot in the world, that primary emotion may surface as fear, uncertainty, confusion, frustration, or even border on that dangerous place of despair.

How you respond to this current distress, emotionally and behaviorally, may be an indicator of your locus of trust, namely, where, or in whom, you place your trust. David, in the midst of tremendous stress and danger, cried out to God with some sentiments worth considering in light of our economic times. In Psalm 20, his cry sounded like this:

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.

Note the kind of “support raising” David encourages! And then look at what he says later in the Psalm:

Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Now, imagine David taking that long, diagnostic breath. What primary emotion do you think he would identify in his heart? The danger was evident. The distress was real. And so was the locus of David’s trust in the midst of it all. David put his finger on the cultural trust-point of his day, identifying the chariots and horses that symbolized success, power, prosperity, and financial independence. These possessions provided a person in David’s context with a measure of peace, security, and safety. But they were a false sense of security at best.

David knew where to turn in the midst of his trouble, and where to place his trust. It was not in his support systems, or a donor base, or a missionary account balance. His trust did not abide within the comfort of what he could purchase as an indicator that all was financially in order. David’s trust landed squarely on the shoulders of his God. Specifically he states, “We trust in the name of the Lord our God.” And His name carries all the weightiness of provision: Father, Master, Lord, Helper, Guardian, and Giver.

Recently our Christian Associates board chairperson, Rita Warren, wrote to a group of friends about gaining proper perspective on the economic crisis. Rita embodied all of that deep sense of trust in the Lord, and rightly discerned where not to place her trust. Here is an excerpt from what she wrote:

If there’s any consolation to be found in the current economic and market crisis – and there’s not many consolations, to be sure – it’s that we are living through an unprecedented time in our history. It’s almost like being back in the late 1920’s and seeing firsthand how the Depression came upon us. Like I said, not much consolation. But I am learning today to keep my eyes open, to listen, to watch, to dig deeper than what is being said in the media about the current dilemma to understand how it happened and to see how it will be handled by the government and by Wall Street and by the man in Iowa who is losing the value of his retirement portfolio and his future along with it.

Of course, it’s all exacerbated by the fact that this is an election year. So blame must be cast elsewhere; no one is willing to say “My party screwed up. Decisions were made 20 or even 30 years ago that are unraveling things now.” Instead, the Republicans blame the Democrats, Nancy Pelosi blames everyone who isn’t her, and no one moves forward because everyone is stuck in their own ego and justifications… It is a study of human nature at its biblical worst.

St. Augustine wrote, in “The City of God,”: “…but the very administration of justice becomes a perverse business in which ignorance seeking to check vice commits new injustice.” I see this happening in the economy, in an attempt to solve the problem being buried deeper and deeper into the mess, and the feeling of having no control of my financial situation or my destiny is a bit overwhelming. I’m sure many of you are feeling the same kinds of emotions. Where will it end? I don’t know.

As I write this, the market is up in its first half hour of operation after a 777 point decline yesterday. At least for this minute, a sigh of relief is being heard all over the world. But of course it could turn south at any moment, plummeting once again into triple digit losses in free fall. And that’s what makes it both exciting and frightening: the volatility, the unpredictable quality of it all.

So I guess the lesson has to be: God is in control. Not me. Not you. Not even Nancy Pelosi or George Bush or Barack Obama. Or the Democrats or the Republicans. God knows where this is going, and He knows how to manage it.

So, ask yourself an important question about your financial situation, your support base, and the balances in your accounts: “Where, or in whom, have I placed my trust?” Now is not the time to blame, or to blast off into the realm of self-sufficiency. Now is the time to breathe. Breathe in the calming aroma of the Lord’s name. Inhale His Presence and Provision. Take in His Strength and Support. And as you exhale, sense the calmness and peace that only He can bring to your heart.

A financial crisis? Certainly. A crisis of trust? Not necessarily.

Keep breathing.

ECPN Portugal

2008-10-04T02:53:00.000-07:00

The European Church Planting Network was designed to create synergy between various churches and organizations seeking to influence the development of the church across Europe. I attended the latest gathering this past week in Faro, Portugal. Well, I attended, even if my bag did not. See post below for a shocking revelation.

Along with 3 other men from Christian Associates, I met 70 believers from 14 organizations who share our heart for church planting. Most of these representatives were European believers; a true joy to see their passion to reach those in their own culture.

After 3 days together, I came away with the following thoughts:
1. In the shadow of empty European cathedrals, God is raising up new expressions of His body across this continent.
2. European models of this work tend to be more economical, more organic, lay-led, and truly grassroots. See the Jesus Freaks www.youtube.com and and search on jesusxfreaks to see what I mean.
3. We are not alone in this endeavor. Some of the most excited and dynamic works of the Lord are coming through organizations I've never heard of previously. The vibrant faith communities springing up around the world are a fulfillment of Hab 2:14 "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God, as the waters cover the sea."
4. Some of the most effective initiatives in communicating the gospel are those that visibly incarnate that message in a community. Our Serve the City initiative is so moving that even droves of non-Christians are coming out to join the effort to take responsibility and care for the neighborhood. It is truly missional in the sense that, even if people say "no" to following Jesus, they say "thank you for being here." Or, "What would our community do without you?" This is the kindness, generosity and care-taking of the Lord expressed in such a tangible form that people are drawn into fellowship and into the service effort before they come to understand the Christ-orientation that is the motivational driver behind it.

I'm glad to have any small role in this global effort. And regardless of geography, so do you...

My Bag's Exotic Vacation

2008-10-04T02:18:00.000-07:00

Do you know the feeling as you stand at the airport baggage carousel watching all the luggage make the rounds, hoping and waiting for your own to come down the ramp? You watch with disinterest, then with concern, and finally with prayer until the belt comes to a halt. Then the game changes; your bag is lost. Whatever plans you had after leaving the airport have suddenly changed. Such was the situation for me on Wednesday at the airport in Lisbon, Portugal. I knew there was risk involved in my Denver-to-Chicago-to-Madrid-to-Lisbon itinerary. I even socked away a clean shirt and, well, socks, in my carry-on just in case. Surely my bag would arrive later that day. Right?

Wrong.

The airlines informed me on Thursday that there was no information at all. By that evening they had discovered my bag had taken a detour through London. I would've liked to go to London. My bag obviously had its own itinerary. According to the airline, my bag arrived in Faro, Portugal - a mere 10 miles away - Friday morning. However, it did not arrive in my hands until Friday night around midnight, just in time for me to leave Portugal on Saturday morning.

I was amazed to see how many tags were on my bag. It truly had an alternate plan for this trip. Here I am with my bag.

At first I thought this was an innocent mishap by a well-meaning, but financially strapped airline. That's what I thought, until I found the rest of the photos tucked away INSIDE my bag...

My bag lounging by the pool...

My bag enjoying a drink by the bar. Looks like my bag is partial to international draught lager... Then, and most telling of all...

My bag enjoying some quality time with a pretty lady!

Bad bag. Very bad bag. Next time, I'm not checking a bag at all. I want my bag to SHARE my trip memories, not create its own...

Hungarian Reflections

2008-09-08T14:20:00.000-07:00

The trip to Hungary in August was to attend the Christian Associates annual all-staff gathering called CONNECT. About 300 people in our "tribe" attended a week long conference, coming from all over the place to connect with friends, listen to challenging teaching from the Word, and enjoy the peaceful forest setting. For me, this trip was the perfect opportunity to meet the very people that my role is designed to support. Those who have gone out with CA are real "John the Baptist" kind of figures - more comfortable in the wild, living in a way that runs counter-cultural to most of what we hold dear in America. They are the kind of believers that have successfully redefined "normal" Christianity, and their version seems to be much closer to the radical, revolutionary type we see portrayed in the person of Jesus; the Founder of our Movement. It would be impossible to meet these folks and not want to say, "How can I possibly help you?" Fortunately, our Operations Team can help them, providing the kind of logistical, administrative, financial, and personnel resources that make it possible for them to go about their calling without distraction.

We flew into Vienna, Austria, and I must say that was underwhelming. I was expecting to see Alps, hills alive with the Sound of Music! Vienna is flat. But it is also old and beautiful in architecture and, of course, rich with the music of Mozart and Strauss.

Vienna is also home to an amazing cathedral named after Stephen, one of my favorite figures in scripture.

The actual CONNECT Conference was held an hour away from Vienna, in a sleepy Hungarian city called Sopron. The setting is exactly what I picture as Bavarian - though I was disappointed in the lack of Bavarian creme available at any given time. The people were a bit dour, maybe residual feelings from their communist era. But the climate was pleasant, the forest was thick and ancient, and the city center spoke of a time when Christianity was at the epicenter of culture. I was blessed to see this place and hope to return in the future. I searched plenty of shops to find truly Hungarian crafts to bring back for friends, and after multiple tourist traps, we finally found the real Hungarian mall - the place where locals go to shop. They were surprised to see tourists in their market, but welcomed us (or at least our cash) and helped us pick out the items that they enjoy daily. As always, the beauty of a culture is found in the hospitality of its people, and in this regard, Hungary is a beautiful place.

Bloggo-Vacation

2008-08-28T10:32:00.000-07:00

Hello friends. Just wanted to explain my absence in the past couple of months. First, I've spent a good deal of time on the road lately, making home time all the more precious. And while I've blogged on the road previously, the pace of these trips with Christian Associates has been NASCAR speed. Fortunately, the ethos of this organization is so relational that all of the time investment has led to a good start in my new role. Thanks for checking along the way, and again, sorry for the silence! You can read the synopsis of this recent trip to Hungary in the next post.

Health Check-Up?

2008-07-05T11:50:00.000-07:00

This past week I was at the Christian Associates U.S. Office based in Thousand Oaks, CA. We were interviewing candidates for church planting positions on teams around the world. It was an incredible process of listening intently to the candidates and from the Lord regarding His desires and direction.

During the week, Hud McWilliams - the head of our pastoral care team - brought a message about the importance of life-long learning. He laid out a series of "diagnostic" statements that are worth repeating and pondering. Here they are:

1. Healthy things grow.
2. Growing things change.
3. Change causes anxiety.
4. Anxiety produces a response.
5. How we respond is an indicator of our health.

The anxiety associated with growth causes many of us to step back from the growth opportunity. Our response, rather than leaning into the change and seeing it bear new fruit, often looks like resistance, stubbornness, or, as we see in scripture, a stiff-necked rebellion. That posture stunts our growth and ultimately limits our experience of Christ and our fruitfulness in ministry.

Our past years have been marked by change. At times we've met it with open arms and walked into new areas of unprecedented growth. Other times, not so much. In our commitment to living a healthy spiritual life, we desire to press through the discomfort of change, and enjoy new ways of relating to God, and new expressions of ministry to others.

What about you?

Oops!

2008-06-24T23:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the confusion. It seems that my attempt to post our latest newsletter didn't work. I'll make an adjustment in the next couple of days to make it easy to download. Thanks for your patience!

Our Latest Newsletter

2008-06-21T15:23:00.000-07:00

Here is a copy of our Summer 2008 Newsletter. If you click here you can download the PDF document (an electronic version that you can read on your computer screen) and read, or print it out.
DOWNLOAD FILE

Support Progress!!!

2008-06-10T19:13:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU ALL for praying me through this support raising season of ministry! It has been, and continues to be a real faith-growing adventure. As you can see by the "support tracker" to the right, we are over 1/3 of the way to the goal. Wow!

Several of you are still praying about an amount to give, and I just want to offer a preemptive word of THANKS for following God's leadership as you pray. I hope to be as much of a blessing to you all in return as you have been to my family along the way.

Rejoicing!

"Incarnating" the Gospel Message

2008-06-10T16:04:00.000-07:00

In his book, The Forgotten Ways, Alan Hirsch lays out a way of thinking about missions that is truly explosive. He writes,

"The church, when true to its real calling, is by far and away the most potent force for transformational change the world has ever seen. It has been before, is that now, and will be that again. This book is written in the hope that the church in the West can, by the power of the Holy Spirit, arouse and reengage that amazing power that lies within us."

He goes on to articulate an approach to Kingdom expansion that is theologically solid and contextually effective. In other words, this is a way of doing missions that holds onto everything essential in scripture while exploring ways of reaching people that are innovative and appropriate for the culture in which they live. It's one of the reasons I felt drawn toward Christian Associates.

Today I had the amazing privilege of calling a family to give them the final word that they are approved to move overseas to join a church planting team. No surprise, this first personnel decision was an exception to the policy manual (those of you who know me well understand how much it blesses me to paint outside the lines!). In spite of the fact that they haven't raised all of their support, they have the unusual asset of E.U. membership - allowing them to seek employment as bi-vocational missionaries. This may very well be the future of effective missionary funding.

But more than a mere financial decision, they will be able to engage their new culture incarnationally - taking the Message into the neighborhood in person. She will seek employment as a teacher, opening doors to bless and minister to countless families. He will land a job as a salon stylist in a strategic location, right in the shadow of Parliament. We can't begin to imagine the conversations he will have with numerous "captive audiences" who sit in the chair!

About this incarnational approach, Hirsch writes:

In this way mission becomes something that "fits" seamlessly into the ordinary rhythms of life, friendships, and community and is thus thoroughly contextualized.

I can't wait to see the dynamic/explosive potential of this innovative and tactile approach to sending. Think about that the next time you're sitting in the chair to get your hair cut...

For more information about the church planting team this family will join, go to The Well website.

Camp Missions?

2008-05-30T13:04:00.000-07:00

Is there a connection between Christian Camping and front-line missions? There is at TbarM! This past week, Molly and I have been in south Texas working alongside our ministry friends at TbarM. (Well, I've been working, and Molly's been swimming, barn swinging, crafting, and generally goofing off!) Many of you know of my love and history with the Christian camp scene. I've enjoyed a long standing friendship and partnership with Laity Lodge Youth Camps (LLYC) near Kerville, TX, and I continue to jump at the chance to connect with them. Since our time overseas, our family has been diving into the staff training week at TbarM, which has camp properties near Austin and New Braunfels, TX.

One of the reasons I've agreed to partner with TbarM is their commitment to engage their staff and campers in global endeavors. They know that "Fun" is a cross-cultural language, opening doors of opportunity that transcend language and culture. Just check out their Camp Amazon option which brings the fun and faith-filled camp experience to a remote access area of the world. No, I don't think they replaced the archery range with blow darts...

For years I've been exploring effective methods for bringing the gospel message to those with little or no access to our Message. Without question, bringing that message in person stands out - the missional-incarnational approach - as a way of conveying what we believe. Just as Christ was the visible manifestation of the invisible Father, so now we have become the living, breathing, and visible manifestation of His love on earth. Christian Associates stands firm on this incarnational footing. So do the solid people at these amazing camps.

For more information on the missional-incarnational approach to spreading the gospel, pick up a copy of Alan Hirsch's book "The Forgotten Ways".

Unpacking the Downward Journey

2008-05-23T14:03:00.000-07:00

If the Upward Journey charts a course that leads to an ever increasing value of self - more status, increased recognition, wider reputation, and broader positional influence - then the Downward Journey could be described as quite the opposite. This is a journey that represents a subterranean shift in thinking, primarily about yourself and your place in this world. Here are some thoughts from the personal retreat I took to Evergreen, Colorado on the day before I accepted this position with Christian Associates.

The Downward Journey is an internal work with external features. It is lifelong, not seasonal. It stands independent of organizational positions or paychecks.

This journey is about who you are, not what you do.
It's about who you THINK you are, regardless of what you do.
It's about exalting Christ - lifting Him, literally - in your daily course, even as you diminish, so that He may be known. It is the holy finger of John the Baptist pointing at Jesus, and sounds like his statement in John 3:30, "He must become greater. I must become less."

Those on this journey rejoice when God receives credit for the works of God. They also come to expect, even hope, that their role in the works of God remain anonymous, utterly unrecognized or acknowledged by others.

The downward journey commences with a cataclysmic surrender of self - a once-for-all moment of brokenness - and continues not with a debasement of self, but with an ever decreasing consideration for self. ("I don't think better or less of myself, I just think of myself less."

It is a holy deconstruction of self-interest coupled with a simultaneous construction of ideas and behaviors built upon the interests of God.

The downward journey undermines our self sufficiency; replacing it with a keen awareness of self insufficiency - a shift from maturity measured by fierce independence to a wider experience of inter-dependence in the Body of Christ.

Like Isaiah, those on this journey proclaim, "Your Name, and your Renown are the desire of our hearts."

The first time I met the key church plant leaders with Christian Associates, I felt a kindred spirit with those who share this downward trajectory. They live in 25 urban centers across Europe, and they have walked away from the pull of selfish ambition in order to pursue the interests of Christ. Some of these men and women live in what we would consider a state of poverty, but they do so not out of lack of supply. They live wherever necessary to bring the incarnational witness of Christ to the edges of society, where most spiritual movements have started throughout the ages.

Just as Jesus chose to humble himself for our sakes, and he chose the most humble of society to be the carriers of his infectious message, so these folks with Christian Associates impressed me as believers who have sacrificed their self-interests in order to engage in the interests of the Father. Just check out the effect this is having on the surfer community of Portugal! They are part of a larger spiritual movement in the region called the Lisboa Matrix. When I sat in their fellowship this past February, I had the overwhelming sense that this was not the result of an effective church planting model, or a carefully designed church growth strategy. This is a dynamic, organic, vibrant spiritual community pursuing Christ together. I felt drawn to it from the start.

And I quickly recognized that I was walking alongside others who shared this road, downward, so that Christ may be lifted up.

Down Means Up

2008-05-19T08:11:00.000-07:00

Think that those of us in ministry are immune to the gravitational pull upward? I'm talking about the "force" or the "drive" that lures us into thinking that this world, and all of the opportunities it affords, exists to advance our personal agendas. Call it the "It's all about me" syndrome, even some of our modern expressions of spiritual life serve to bolster the notion that we can advance the cause of Christ while simultaneously looking out for our ambitious self-interests.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

As I reach the end of this 6-month sabbatical season, I'm tying together "learning threads", or themes that reflect what the Lord has been teaching me. Come to find out, my journey is anything but unique. The Lord has been teaching His people this since the Genesis. Rendered to the baseline, the message is, "It - this world and all that if affords - is NOT actually about you. It's about Me." Rick Warren points this out for those seeking a deeper purpose to life. In his classic book, Soul Survivor, Philip Yancey commented, "The great paradox which Scripture reveals to us is that real and total freedom can only be found through downward mobility. The Word of God came down to us and lived among us as a slave. The divine way is indeed the downward way." Others describe this process as "the downward journey" and that has become the lens through which I understand the past few years.

In the upcoming days, I will try to articulate this journey with increased clarity, and I will include important insights into Christian Associates that led me to join this movement. For those reading from security sensitive areas of the world, I will keep the verbage "safe" while ensuring that the story remains visceral. The experience has been anything but pleasant. It includes stages of death and dying which are difficult to cover up with flowery language. I have learned (and continue to learn) the hard way that it is, in fact, all about Him. Thanks for joining me on this journey...

New Position with Christian Associates

2008-05-08T21:26:00.001-07:00

Without question, this missional calling has captured my heart. So much so that I've taken a new position with a ministry called Christian Associates, an organization that facilitates part of this spiritual movement around the world. Specifically, I'll be giving leadership to the Operations Team - a group of believers who provide the organzational substructure so that front-line church planters have what they need to get the job done. All of their key leaders gathered in Lisbon, Portugal last February, and being with them felt like coming home. I'll officially start with CA in June. Between now and then, I'll be learning about the organization and praying through the support that we'll need to get the job off the ground. Thanks for your prayers, and for participating in our journey through the years!

New Ministry Blog

2008-05-08T21:15:00.000-07:00

This will be the home for our new support blog with Christian Associates. Check back often for updates!